Tribute
When Uncle Dave called on the phone time to time,
we’d laugh and we’d talk and he’d read me his rhymes.
We’d talk and we’d laugh and sometimes we’d recite
words we had written, then talk through the night.
Uncle Dave, as you know, was the gentlest man
with a heart full of gold and an open wide hand.
He was honest and caring and tender and kind,
just like good Harry in his “young women” rhyme.
When feeling sad or a tad bit askew,
Uncle Dave would lean over and say what he knew.
He’d whisper a secret, tell a joke, or just smile...
and you knew he was with you, no matter the trial.
When trying to sleep on a night cold and bleak,
a clarinet singing will soon start to speak
and we’ll see his photography clear in our minds
and remember a lyric or poetry line.
- his goddaughter, me... doreen peri
I wrote this when he died in the early '90's.
__________
Here are some poems & songs my Uncle Dave wrote
__________
Advice for Young Women
For all the young ladies, here’s some timely advice:
Dating, dinner and dancing as a pastime is nice.
So have youthful flings with Danny and Fred
but when it comes down to marriage,
it’s Harry you’ll wed.
Now Danny’s a gourmet, a man of renown.
He knows every restaurant and every waitress in town.
Though the restaurant be crowded, in less than a minute
he’ll somehow be seated at the best table in it.
His choice of an entree you’ll find simply divine.
He’s also a great connoisseur of fine wine.
But think it all over before it’s too late
for he treats you the same as he treats every date.
So be very careful, don’t make a mistake —
as a date, Dan’s a champion, as a husband a flake.
Fred is a dancer of wonderful grace.
When he takes to the floor, he takes over the place.
He can Rumba or Tango can Waltz or Fox Trot,
dance if music’s mellow or if music is hot.
He leads you around the floor with a flair,
‘til your sure that you’ve found a new Fred Astaire.
He’ll charm you no doubt, sweep you right off your feet.
You’ll remember the evening as heaven complete.
Though you’re feeling quite breathless, when all’s said and done,
if you’re thinking of marriage, then Fred’s not the one.
Now Harry’s no standout, just one of the guys.
His idea of good dining is burgers and fries.
And as for his dancing, Lord, everyone knows
that Harry’s most likely to step on your toes.
But when people have troubles, you’ll hear Harry’s sighs
and if you look closely, you’ll see tears in his eyes.
He tugs at your heart strings like no one else can
for we all know that women love a sensitive man.
So dine out with Danny, go dancing with Fred,
but Harry, sweet Harry is the one you should wed.
-David Elie Simons
_________________________________________
YOU CAN'T WRITE COUNTRY MUSIC ON A CLARINET
When I was young, I was hep for swing
in days when Goodman was the hot lick king.
I learned how to Lindy, how to cut a rug,
when to dance to swing was to Jitterbug.
But tastes can change and now I stomp my feet
to down south music with a country beat.
But still I harbor one lone regret:
You can’t write country music on a clarinet.
It don’t sound right, but it’s sure no sin
to play country music on a violin.
But to my surprise, it’s still life’s riddle
why it sounds much better when it’s called a fiddle.
And it sounds even better yet by far
when the singer’s backed up by a steel guitar.
But one thing I’m sure of and won’t forget:
You can’t write country music on a clarinet.
Some write country when they’re sad and blue,
when broken hearts, when love’s untrue.
Some write the music for its rhythmic beat;
the urge to clap your hands and to stomp your feet.
But they write their music on an old upright
and even a harmonica sometimes sounds right.
And often write, explain it please,
on the keyboard made by the Japanese.
But I must admit that no one yet
has written country music on a clarinet.
-David Elie Simons
_____________________
She Made the Living
We were young when we married,
uncertain future ahead,
a one room apartment, hot plate, sofa bed.
We saved for tomorrow, as young couples should.
We tried not to borrow, did without when we could.
At the door every evening, I was met with a smile.
Though I made the living, she made the living worthwhile.
She bore me four children, three girls and a boy.
A larger apartment filled with laughter and joy.
Both sisters and brother, though a riotous crew
had a calm caring mother, and a referee too.
We had a wonderful life, it was really no trial.
I worked making the living. She made the living worthwhile.
She was bright as a Penny, my sweetheart for life,
a friend and companion, a wonderful wife.
I’ll always remember her face and her smile.
Though I made the living, she made the living worthwhile.
We moved to a house on the outskirts of town;
a thirty year mortgage with ten percent down.
With time burdens eased we had more time to play.
We paid off the mortgage, the kids moved away.
She met our good fortune with grace and with style.
I worked less for a living. She made the living worthwhile.
We vowed at our wedding ‘til death do us part.
I now sit alone with a sad broken heart.
For she’s no longer with me, the Lord took her away.
Now life is empty, days dismal and gray.
As I travel alone down life’s last lonesome mile,
her memory with me still makes living worthwhile.
She was bright as a Penny, my sweetheart for life,
A friend and companion, a wonderful wife.
I’ll always remember her face and her smile.
Though I made the living, she made the living worthwhile.
-David Elie Simons
_____________
http://www.celebratescholarships.umd.ed ... 0002020650
