THANKS TO OLIVIA

 

Olivia came to live with us

and she brought her mommy too

Now we have pretty furniture,

new rugs and a piano – who

do you think is learning

“Doe, a deer, a female deer . . .?”

 

Olivia came to live with us

and now we’re learning to share

our dog and minivan                 

but we don’t care;

she brought more grandparents

an aunt and uncles.

Fair is fair.               

 

Olivia came to live with us

and now we can’t sit still

we’ve traded cable for

tennis, swimming,

dance and yoga

         to name a few.

They say it’s all to have some fun

but it makes us sleepy too. 

 

Olivia came to live with us

and helped us shape our ship

we’ve planted a garden

trimmed the yard 

and generally fixed things up.

We even took a trip

to Disney World

and did it up

real proud.

 

Olivia came to live with us

now there’s music everywhere

for Livi’s mom sings, plays and teaches at the U. 

She taught us handbells and 

‘Tho we struggle to reach the keys and pedals

we’re learning piano too. 

 

Olivia came to live with us

I guess our daddy liked her some

because he married her mom.

 

Dennis R. Keefe

September 6, 2007

 

 

        

 

                                     EMILY GOES TO SCHOOL

 

Emily’s family has a new focus this year

For Emmy’s first school day is finally here.

Preschool is done

Kindergarten roundup was fun.

Now play days are school days,

Just beginning the run

Through teachers and friends,

Classes and grades,

Year after year.

Will it ever be done?

 

They will help her get better

At this and at that

Learning numbers, letters

And how to spell “CAT.”

                                                                                

Ideas will be led through her mind

In formations of phrases,

New words and new books;

Adding, subtracting and art --

She may learn to cook,

As she discovers the gold mine

That is hers for a lifetime

One that will deepen, grow bigger --

Similar, but different

From yours and from mine.

 

Thanks, mom and dad,

For getting her here;       

The time will go fast,

And you will be proud;

Just remember your role in the cast

You can’t cheer too loud.

 

Dennis R. Keefe, August 25, 2003

March 25, 2023

 

HANNAH’S BANANA BOAT

We stopped for lunch at The Banana Boat

Next door to some boaters

Near the Florida shore

Now Hannah
Has a banana boat in mind 

For when she turns four

In her mind 
It’s not a toy

but big enough

"For all of us to ride on”

Shaped like a banana, it's real

With a flag and a triangle sail

A rainbow concoction

“With all the colors in it”

And somehow
Through her three-year-old eyes
She is able to see beyond rides

And wonders

“How would we take it out of the water?

And take it home?”

I suggest we gather
In her boat together
For some sailing fun
Every color and sailor

And when done
Build that banana boat

A trailer.

Dennis R. Keefe

July 2, 2003
December 21, 2014

 

A LITANY TO ALYSSA

                                       on the Transition to Three

                                                          

                                               At last, it’s time

                                         We can all breathe free

                                          Alyssa’s turned three.

 

Was she a “terrible two?”

She’s probably like me and like you.

Determined to

Have her own way

 

Now that she’s three

will she need less attention?

“Stop, look and listen to me.”

 

ON THIS TRIP, WHO WILL TAKE ALYSSA WITH THEM?

 

When she had our attention what did she do?

How many things can a two-year-old do?

 

With two sisters to teach her

Throw toys

Smear chocolate

Hit boys

Girls, dogs and anyone else

Spill drinks

Talk a blue streak

Drip bottles on the floor

Empty trash cans and table drawers

Harass Kaylee,

Demand candy

And climb a tree --

 

Two hands, better than one;

Putting Papa on the run

By hanging and screaming,

“Come and get me!”

 

OH, WE’LL TAKE HANNAH WITH US!

 

Everyday’s adventure is

A test of you and what’s new

It’s all new at two,

Just try it and see --

Society’s expectations

Will be met

Later, alligator.

 

EMILY CAN COME WITH US!

 

“Three” must be here

She’s snuggling and reading,

Swimming and diving,                          

She cleaned a mess

And apologized

“I’m sorry I broke your doll.”                        

There is hope for us all.

 

WE’LL TAKE EMILY AND HANNAH WITH US

 

Was she naughty enough to be a good two,

Or just adequate?                                

A real handful

Or an angelic armful? 

You call it. 

For me she was terrible at being a two.

 

SO HAND HER TO ME --

 

fun it will be 

to see her through three.

 

ALYSSA IS COMING WITH ME!.

 

Dennis R. Keefe

January 7, 2004

March 25, 2023