*****

Recorded Reading (2:14): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p5wopc7xhit655pbufnsj/Peanuts-and-Emeralds.mp3?rlkey=456hrglkjs87dtmj4fhbvn113&dl=0

*****

Peanuts and Emeralds

An actress in both movies and in plays
A famous gracious beauty of her day
Was lovely ‘fifties icon Helen Hayes
In life, as in art, graceful made her way

Her marr’iage was a lifelong love affair
So sweetly did the two go hand in hand
So finely one another of aware
So much of each the other understand

When they were young and only starting out
The road of life together set upon
One evening did the two of them walk out
Upon the boardwalk, seeking harmless fun

He bought for her a bag of peanuts there
And came and poured them out into her skirt
A gentle touch upon her shining hair
A smile to let her know he meant to flirt

He loving looked into her sparkling eyes
And slowly shook his very handsome head
“Our present poverty my love bellies —
I wish they all were emeralds,” he said

Many years later they found themselves back
Again that self-same mem’ry’s boardwalk on
The husband brought with him a little sack
And poured it out alike her skirt upon

Such bright magnificence was in that gift
She caught her breath in wonder at a sight
Which any woman’s heart must surely lift
Her lap strewn emeralds with, glinting bright

Touched to the core his loving gesture by
Unto her lifelong mate lifted her head
And met his own unaltered loving eye
“I wish they all were peanuts,” what he said.

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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