To Mother on her Birthday, 10/21/64
What is pretty and bright to see?
Only half as precious as it might be?
It's not very heavy, 'tho made of stone.
It's only with you when you're not alone.It's not a ball, 'tho it goes around,
And it's weighed in ounces, not by the pound.
From the beginning go round the bend,
You'll find the beginning is really the end.Well, whatever it is, it's here to say,
Have a perfectly wonderful, beautiful,
Day!
To the Birthday Boys, 7/19/68
Dad Hough, 80, and Paul Hough, 9.We went to buy a birthday card
[We knew just what we wanted]
We searched and hunted very hard
But finally were daunted.Oh, many cards were on display
From a nickle to a buck
Tho' no price was to high to pay
We only had Bad Luck!"To Cousin Kate on turning 8"
[Most any kind of verse]
"To Uncle Joe to celebrate
His purchase of a Hearse.""To Sam and Sue, the Siamese Twins
On being separated."
"To George and Betty - what's-their-name?,
On becoming un-related."To Maiden Aunts - on Mother's Day?"
"To Cousins old and Uncles young."
"To Bosses - asking higher pay."
No wish has gone un-sung."But we were getting nowhere fast
And running out of steam.
We read them all from first to last,
And none was on-the-beam.As sweet and sugary each verse,
So dew-drenched every rose,
As cloyingly, from bad to worse,
The saccharin sentiment goes.Well, desperation filled the heart,
Discouragement the mind.
We wondered when we'd ever start
To find what we must find.Oh, Hallmark, you have let us down,
We've never been so low.
We've searched the lenght and breadth of town,
Where will we ever go -
To find a Birthday Wish not weighty -
Fairly simple after all -LOVE TO DAD -
ON TURNING EIGHTY!!
AND A HAPPY NINE
TO PAUL!!!
To Mother, 10/24/71
Some People the thought would deject
To have reached such an age of respect
But her figure is pert
And her mind so alert
That her years one would never suspect!Our Mother's the Belle of the Ball
But she's tired of hiking the hall
So, in case of alarm
She should come to no harm
We are putting a phone on her wall.Her philosophies, truly inspired -
Tend to rend the ear just slightly tired
But her spirits are high!
And THE SPIRITS know why!!
In general she's greatly admired!The LADY just mentioned above
Admits she's a HAWK not a DOVE
And on current events
She makes meinent sense
HERE'S A TOAST!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY - WITH LOVE!"On Nancy's Natal Day
By Ted Knerr for a surprize party 7/22/78She's a person of perfection
Like the world has never seen
A paragon of beauty, poise and wit
Her armory of charms will long divert you.Now comes the anniversary
Of noble Nancy's birth
Her eye undimmed, her pace has never slowed
This Belle rang in in '28
Appealing all the way
She's turning a nifty 50 down the road.But what could be the proper gift
For the girl without a flaw?
What gown or rose or pearl would dare adorn her?
Searching the cities of the world
Alas to no avail
Our quest became forlorn
And yet forlorner.But then a poet's wisdom flashed
A message clear and true
And our massive misconception made a change
"There is no excellent beauty"
The bearded Bard decreed
"That does not have about it something strange!"A light! A light revealed to us
A pithy paradox
A law of nature, iron-bound, immutable!
That for a peerless personage
An one without a flaw
Only a gift imperfect could be suitable!Our secret's out, so with a shout
Make haste to tear the wrappings
To see the prize bestowed by your good fairy, and
Here's health and wealth and love
To our hemi-demi-semi-centenarian!(The gift was "Crumpled Paper" stationery)
The Lady of Leisure, 1970
Now, all you who envy the Lady of Leisure,
The Lady exceedingly fair,
With nails long and shiny, with make-up quite perfect,
And a natural wave in her hair -Just remember dear buddies, who grub in the garden,
Who toil and launder and labor,
When she sits by her pool, in her infinite cool, -
The importance of "Loving Thy Neighbor"!When she's sleeping 'til noon, while you're cleaning the stove,
With the kiddies all brawling about you -
Keep this thought in your head, as you change the fifth bed -
"Your dear husband could not live without you."When your Mother-in-law, bless her darling old heart,
Calls while you are just at the brink.
And she says "By the way - such a beautiful day!" -
Could she bring the girls by for a drink?
And you know that the living room windows aren't clean,
There are dishes piled high in the sink!
And the washer - it's new - blew a gasket - or more -
And the service man took it apart,
And he left all the pieces spread out on the floor -
And you're waiting ten days for the part!Now you hear the cool tinkle of drinks on her lawn,
And the trill of her delicate laughter -
You just laid open your hand on the tuna fish - canned,
And your hollers are raising the rafter -- !!!But you stifle your tears, and you bandage your wound -
And you tell the kids "Early-to-bed" -
Then you take a hot shower, and you rest half an hour -
While getting things straight in your head.Then you brush out your hair, you perfume and you dress -
In a gown that's a practical treasure!
And you're icing the gin - as your husband walks in -
"Look at her, my sweet lady of leisure!"
Leonard Brown Birthday, 1/13/87
Our mutual friend - Leonard Brown
Can be either a Prince or a Clown.
He's a Joker, a Dancer
A women Romancer
And a debonair Man-About Town!He seems to enjoy being host,
And tho he's not given to boast,
His food's a delight
(When his stove is alright!)
And his guests will agree - he's the most!When someone needs help - it is clear
That our Len is the first to appear
To give aid and advice.
(And money is nice)
As even a free case of beer!He was born on the 13th of Jan.
Which makes him a Capricorn Man.
But Leonard, old dear
We shall not ask which year.
You must just stay as young as you can!So, let us all join in a song
And sing our good wishes out strong.
You're a fella "true blue"!
Happy Birthday to you!
May your life be erotic and long!
EPICON, for Conrad Hering Knerr, 10/25/89
Your wife said -- "Please write a big blurb
'Bout how Conrad is truly superb."
He's merely terrific
And super prolific -
And lives with her in the suburb. (Well, it rhymes!)When Con was a small boy of three -
He asked Mom for a Sis - and got me!
Which just goes to show
That one never can know
Just how daring a small wish can be!That our house down on Washington Lane
Was too small it soon became plain.
So, we all went a-Hellin'
Up to 118 Pelham.
Go-Mama had a nurse in her train.A lot of things happened that year.
Pop founded Metlab - Give a cheer!
He worked hard and long,
And our mother was strong,
And then "Drat" - the Depression was here!Well, things became dourer and drear -
When what do you think should appear?
One little brother -
And then one after the other!
Grandma said, "Jean, I don't wish to be mean,
But Horace is one Hell of an engineer!"Well, raising a family was rough -
And finding a job was quite tough.
So, the Reids joined our nest -
They were four of the best -
And ten really seemed just enough.Con trudged off to school - not by train.
'Twas a long walk up to Allen's lane.
But he was quite prudent -
And a very good student -
And he never got wet in the rain!In six years we moved - it was hard!
And the tears fell around all unbarred.
Our Mom was bereft.
Such memories left.
Her red maple-still stands in the yard.We went up the hill to Mt. Airy
And went in the summers by Ferry -
To give us a break
Down to Miles Gilman's lake
And our float won 'cause Con's legs were hairy.Our Boyer Street home was no winner,
But Conrad grew up;and got thinner
From walking to school,
Some six miles as a rule. -
So Wilhelmena served up a great dinner!Grandfather arrived with a Van!
Played piano and chess - what a man! -
He came in with a nurse
But moved out in a hearse.
We all really loved the old man!Aunt Steena would come for long stays.
We'loved her sweet-spirited ways.
If you'd give her a chance,
She'd go into a trance.
And sometimes remain there for days!Then the War years and business got better.
Metlab won the Navy "E" letter'
The small boys grew taller -
And tall boys would call her
When Nancy looked good in a sweater!Well, then Mother knew just what to do.
So we moved over to 302.
Nancy gave a big party -
The refreshments were hearty.
Con looked cute in his sailor suit too'Then Con left the Navy behind
With the best education in mind -
Up to old MIT
Where his life was no spree,
But he went to Cape Cod to unwind.With the War and his college years ended
Then Con a few ladies befriended.
But he finally chose Shirl,
A most winsome young girl
And told all that she was his intended.Then our Father said "Conrad, you're needed."
So, with his degree he proceeded
To Metlab to labor,
(With no special favor)
While slowly his hairline receded!In the year '52 Nancy came -
Executive Sec. was her game.
With just Jonsey to harry
Pop just had to add Barry
So that things would not seem too tame!So, the years moved along as they do,
With babies, first one and then two.
Four more babies later -
The girls couldn't be greater!
But it must sometimes have seemed like a zoo!!And then Andrea gave Con a prize,
An asset he never denies.
His cap has a feather -
It's his granddaughter, Heather.
A tall beauty with violet eyes!As so often happens these days
Con and Shirley went their own ways.
So he found - you-know-who
Our petite, blue-eyed Sue.
She continues to heap him with praise!With the family enlarged by her kids -
It was watch out for Egos and Ids.
But her Susie is charming -
And the boys are disarming
But have more? --- Gracious Heaven forbids!Well, you all must acknowledge how neat him,
And if you ever wonder "How sweet him?"
He plays tennis with Bill
Up in old Chestnut Hill
And he even, sometimes, let's Bill beat him!So, there's Zweiback and Melba and French Toast,
And we're not here to give you a Roast!
Here's to you Conrad, dear -
In your Sixty-Fifth year,
Happy Birthday, we love you the most !!!
Salute, Christmas card 1992-1993
The sea is clear,
The clouds have flown,
But all who look below
Recall the day of infamy
The world should not have known.At peace o'er Pearl
This flag unfurl,
And all mankind atone
With deeds of loving brotherhood,
And wars no more be known!God rest ye merry, Sailormen
Who lie beneath the sea,
This flag that waves above your graves
Still stands for Liberty.
POEM, Title Unknown
Recited by Rosanne Hough, Thanksgiving 1999... And empty is the heart that held that love.
And yet I realize why I had to go,
Just as the petals of a rose must fold.Now my soul is void of any life
And all the meaning of my life is gone,
And yet the stars of heaven are as bright as they were a century ago.
Why should I presume to think that I could change the course of nature with my woes?
Or even catch the glance of passersby -
who neither know nor care to know my thoughts?This love for which, god knows, I'm yearning yet
Is nothing to this world or those therein.
And yet it is impossible to kill,
For killing it would be my greatest sin.
Transcribed by Ricarda S. Kupper
The first few lines were inaudible.
None of those present recalled hearing this poem before,
but we presumed it had been written in her youth.