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.