Soapweed
Well-known member
Back in early February of 1983, Jim Lambley and the KSDZ FM radio station from Gordon, Nebraska had a Valentine's Day poetry contest. This was my contribution.
AN APPROPRIATE VALENTINE
Driving along with the radio on,
I heard the announcer say,
"Have we got a deal for you!
For this upcoming Valentine's Day!
Our radio station is giving a prize--
A night on the town with frills.
You and your sweetie get the good time;
KSDZ pays the bills."
As you can imagine, this perked up my ears—
Really sounded good to me.
The best part about it all, of course,
Was the simple fact it was free.
But then the tricky part sank in
For it was to be a contest.
Every entrant was to write a poem.
Judges would pick the one that was best.
So now I am sitting here wondering
Just what in the world to write.
As slow as I am at something like this
The job could take all night.
It's supposed to be a love poem, they say,
About your lover true.
But how to say a lot of "mush"
Has got me in a stew.
I have a lot of love in my heart
'Cause it sure doesn't come out too often.
I'm supposed to be a tough cowboy, you see,
And they're not supposed to soften.
But my little blonde wife is sure sweet to me.
Really I should reciprocate.
But on paper, for the world to see?
That's hard for a bowlegged reprobate!
She is always nice to me
And cheerful all the time.
Why right now, across the table, she's helping
To think up words that rhyme.
She helps me outside with the cattle
And does the cooking, too.
Always at the right place at the right time
She knows exactly what to do.
She can ride a horse with the best of them
And drive a tractor fine.
And when she is teaching Sunday School
Her face has a Special Shine.
Yes sir! The smartest thing I ever did
Was to put my ring on her finger.
I'm really a very lucky guy
'Cause she is sure a humdinger!
Another one of her attributes
Is 20-20 foresight.
She said, "One of these days we're going to get old.
Don't you see I'm right?"
I replied, "I reckon so, but
What do you propose we do?"
She said, "Well, I've been thinking
We should have a kid or two."
What could I say except to agree?
It was a logical thought.
And after a wait of a little while
Guess what the big stork brought.
Yes, we got the cutest little boy
Tiny though he was.
But a handsome little feller
Nearly bald except for fuzz.
So now with our new baby
We're happy as can be.
And at Christmas time, extra gifts for him
Were underneath the tree.
As Valentine's Day rolls around, I'm wondering
What to get my wife.
I have an idea but there's a chance
That it could cause some strife.
For years she has wanted a milk cow,
I keep saying, "Someday……maybe."
I think I know who'd milk the cow—
It wouldn't be her or our baby.
But if I happen to win this contest
She just might let me by
With a night on the town, and supper
Of Steak, Lobster, and Pie.
This contest was held before Valentine's Day of 1983. I didn't win with the poem, so did end up giving Carol a milk cow. Beth Kime wrote a nice poem about her husband, Steve Kime, and they won the night on the town complete with limousine and chauffer. Ironically, they ended up purchasing the milk cow from us later when we decided to sell it, but that might be another story for another time.
AN APPROPRIATE VALENTINE
Driving along with the radio on,
I heard the announcer say,
"Have we got a deal for you!
For this upcoming Valentine's Day!
Our radio station is giving a prize--
A night on the town with frills.
You and your sweetie get the good time;
KSDZ pays the bills."
As you can imagine, this perked up my ears—
Really sounded good to me.
The best part about it all, of course,
Was the simple fact it was free.
But then the tricky part sank in
For it was to be a contest.
Every entrant was to write a poem.
Judges would pick the one that was best.
So now I am sitting here wondering
Just what in the world to write.
As slow as I am at something like this
The job could take all night.
It's supposed to be a love poem, they say,
About your lover true.
But how to say a lot of "mush"
Has got me in a stew.
I have a lot of love in my heart
'Cause it sure doesn't come out too often.
I'm supposed to be a tough cowboy, you see,
And they're not supposed to soften.
But my little blonde wife is sure sweet to me.
Really I should reciprocate.
But on paper, for the world to see?
That's hard for a bowlegged reprobate!
She is always nice to me
And cheerful all the time.
Why right now, across the table, she's helping
To think up words that rhyme.
She helps me outside with the cattle
And does the cooking, too.
Always at the right place at the right time
She knows exactly what to do.
She can ride a horse with the best of them
And drive a tractor fine.
And when she is teaching Sunday School
Her face has a Special Shine.
Yes sir! The smartest thing I ever did
Was to put my ring on her finger.
I'm really a very lucky guy
'Cause she is sure a humdinger!
Another one of her attributes
Is 20-20 foresight.
She said, "One of these days we're going to get old.
Don't you see I'm right?"
I replied, "I reckon so, but
What do you propose we do?"
She said, "Well, I've been thinking
We should have a kid or two."
What could I say except to agree?
It was a logical thought.
And after a wait of a little while
Guess what the big stork brought.
Yes, we got the cutest little boy
Tiny though he was.
But a handsome little feller
Nearly bald except for fuzz.
So now with our new baby
We're happy as can be.
And at Christmas time, extra gifts for him
Were underneath the tree.
As Valentine's Day rolls around, I'm wondering
What to get my wife.
I have an idea but there's a chance
That it could cause some strife.
For years she has wanted a milk cow,
I keep saying, "Someday……maybe."
I think I know who'd milk the cow—
It wouldn't be her or our baby.
But if I happen to win this contest
She just might let me by
With a night on the town, and supper
Of Steak, Lobster, and Pie.
This contest was held before Valentine's Day of 1983. I didn't win with the poem, so did end up giving Carol a milk cow. Beth Kime wrote a nice poem about her husband, Steve Kime, and they won the night on the town complete with limousine and chauffer. Ironically, they ended up purchasing the milk cow from us later when we decided to sell it, but that might be another story for another time.
That is a fine poem as is the story behind it. The fact that Valentines brought a milkcow to your bride and you are still here to tell about it proves your love story is a true one.