Amélie Beth Harris -McGeehan

Acknowledgment of birthday gal,

whose invaluable priceless worth

exceeds more'n a bajillion dollars.

 

First born of Boyce and Harriet

(both long since deceased,
albeit cremated whereby their ashes
- cremains scattered to the four winds)

in Paterson, New Jersey

December first nineteen fifty seven.

 

A protective big sister

to yours truly

her one and only rolled together
into hypocritical, poetical, and zoological

Homo sapien specimen
younger, middle and older brother,

he/him principally schooled

as scapegoated target courtesy bullies

endearing herself in later years,

especially prior to death of our father,

and readily admitting

 

how she vicariously suffered
when I, a dogged

latter day Unitarian wordsmith

experienced chronic duress

as an emerging adult,
particularly merciless hateful acrimony
delivered out the mouth
of him, who helped beget me
thirteen plus months

after aforenamed sibling

came into webbed wide world.

 

Interestingly enough

as recipient of attaboy accolades,

I experienced

a greater emotional covalent bond,

and indeed felt more linkedin

to baby (i.e. bubala) of Harris family
(Shari Todd same maiden name
as above hyphenated surname

via a missus dash
found husband more'n two

and a half score years ago

still blissfully married

 

to Andy Dunning, whom she met
at Young's Regency roller skating rink)

approximately thirty three months

younger than heretofore

aging long haired pencil necked geek,
one formerly painfully shy lad,

yet ironically now

in winter of my discontent

finds greater harmony,

synchronicity, and zealotry

with (en)titled kinfolk of this poem.

 

Genes of Ashkenazi forebears

wrought nonpareil woman

invested with endearing, loving,

truss ting emotional bulwark

bridging golden gated span

of sixty five orbitz

around nearest star

ofttimes exuding Pacific deportment

exhibiting genuine care and concern,

for all creatures great and small

ever conscientious to vet

behaviour that would be injurious

 

toward flora and fauna

applying tender loving care

subsequently unsuspectingly witnessed

by eye of providence

daughter of Mother Nature

donning raiment of quasi holiness

coaxing, harnessing, and questing
to impart fidelity, integrity, and vitality

when transfusing life sustaining force,

especially bestowing maternal

rejuvenation when some stranger

abandoned their pet,
which castaways found forever home

on property at 324 Level Road,
(long since razed for vinyl city),

I harken back many decades ago

when Amelie convinced

zee mama and papa

to provide unfettered nurture

to a mangy, scrawny, and lucky dog
(purportedly heavily abused)

much loved pooch named Socrates,

who strongly resembled
the Basenji, African 'Barkless Dog,'

a compact, sweet-faced

 

hunter of intelligence and poise

nevertheless, whose barcarolle repertoire
(resplendent with echoes
of traditional folk songs sung

by Venetian gondoliers -

ruffly redolent from Tales of Hoffman)

bestowed, imparted, and voiced

invaluable canine wisdom

despite issuing foul breath

revealing yellowed teeth

our canine buddy

sorely missed upon his demise.