Puckered Lemon Smiling

Proper English lady

puckered lemon smiling

was Auntie Marg’ret

And huzzy Harvey

he was too

a portrait of the British

tea-cup

fortune telling tea leaves

and old Victorian lace.

Acceptin’ Harvey’s nose

was red and bulbous,

but no matter

the rest of him was likely

to be likewise.

Then the visit

to Auntie’s doll collection,

ten million I swear

from every land,

‘twas a veritable field trip

To a musty heaven

Where nothing ever moved.

O look Auntie Marg’ret.

The golden carriage

and all the horsemen.

King George Six?

O my,

and where is Uncle Harve?

He’s gone to get the paper love,

and he won’t be back ‘till late.

I never saw old Harve

but twic’t,

once before he went

to get the paper,

and one other time.

He brought an ice-cream pie,

O my,

And left to get the paper,

red bulbous nose,

O my,

He’s gone to get a paper love,

and he won’t be back ‘till late.

And looking back

on puckered lemon smiling

Proper English lady

a miracle of grace I see.

How feedin’, lovin’,

alcoholic Harve

did bring

a life of grace.