LOUISIE
Louise, her first name, was easy
But it soon was enlarged to Louisie . . .
But not large enough —
It lacked the right stuff —
Now she is Louisie-Beazie
And that pretty much says it all
Like her name, she can hold you in thrall
Her combo of features
Make her rare among creatures —
And make sure you stay on the ball
Louisie-Beazie — the name is the form
Winning, willful, and warm
Not someone to hide
Nor to stay here inside
Not one to conform to the norm
Along came the year she met Ramani
’71 anno Domini
Multinational match
Cosmopolitan catch
And a fit like maple syrup on homini
In was ’71 — and behold
It was just as had long been foretold
On leaves it was written
How two would be smitten
It was destiny . . . it was fate . . . it was gold
She gardens, she cooks, and she bakes
Tales are told of the meals she makes
And if something seems broken
She’s very outspoken
Taking action if that’s what it takes
Along came the first itty-bitty one
Anjuli — ever a pretty one
A designer, a writer
With worlds inside her
Now she’s the take-on-the-city one
Next there came Austin, their son
Another quite rarefied one
So clear on his quest
For the highest and best —
For enlightenment . . . consider it done
A true frequent flyer is she
Though in ways many others don’t see
At least twice every day
It’s up, up, and away
Setting herself and society free
Conventional planes she’ll still fly
For traveling far through the sky
To Rome or Paree?
Too ordinary —
Often she’s off to . . . Uruguay!
Here’s Louisie all over again —
Trodden paths are outside of her ken
Blaze the new trail
Set the new sail —
And check out the places she’s been
Her ultimate path is within
Toward the infinite goal she will win
May quickly she rise
Beyond the highest of skies
And may millions of others begin
So go up and give her a squeeze
(And perhaps a light tease, if you please)
Look all around
Her match won’t be found —
Not here, not anyplace overseas
Who else has such features as these?
Such passion and also such ease?
Look wide and far
But wherever you are
You’ll find no one who’s quite like Louise
Happy Birthday, Louise-B
You of the sweet heart of fire
You of keen mind
You are one of a kind
And you’re lifting us higher and higher
2004
Response from Louise:
Wow Craig, I had no idea what a poet you are. That was one of the sweetest things i ever received in my life. I will keep it always. It was amazing. I am in awe.
You are my hero.
Love, Louise