FEBRUARY 17th
       Take nothing for granted.

Yes, I know.
Wallace will be declared king.
For his queen, Shirley Temple Black.

Yes, I know.
The moon will wear garters.
The goldfish will wear a wedding ring.
The chipmunks will subscribe
to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
That's just for starters.
Next Queen Elizabeth will take a bribe.
Next the Atlantic will turn to solid ice.
Then the doctors will hand out cancer with their advice.

Yes, I know.
Death sits with his key in my lock.
Not one day is taken for granted.
Even nursery rhymes have put me in hock.
If I die before I wake. Each night in bed.
My husband sings Baa Baa black sheep and we pretend
that all's certain and good, that the marriage won't end.
                                                 September 1, 1971