February 24, 2020
If asked what memory is the best
That would put me to the test
I would dig through my past
And ask was “Was it the first or the last”?
There are so many in between
Most could not have been
foreseen
You can give me suggestions
But I have no answer to this question
Smiling, laughing and having
fun It’s tough to pick just one
I keep thinking “Which one can it be”?
I’ve dug deep inside my brain
The memories fly by like a bullet train
The book is almost complete
Ninety plus years are covered in those sheets
How many more years will it
hold? Only time will unfold.
12
MY VAULT
November 24, 2021
I have a vault
Many times, they made me
In it are items that cannot be bought
happy
No one is allowed to go within
And some brought me
The combination only I know
sorrow
There’s always tomorrow
It contains items placed therein many
years ago
They made me smile,
These items I cherish are priceless
laugh, and have fun
No monetary value can be placed on
So many many years have
them
gone by
All are gems
It’s easy to recall the days
I placed them in there
Periodically, I will take out one or two
They are irreplaceable
And remember you and you and you
The vault is inside my
What are they you may ask?
MEMORY BANK
As I walked through life
And walking from place to place
I saw many faces
I picked up all these things
Summer, winter, fall and spring
13 | P a g e
THERE WAS A TIME
November 7, 2021
There was a time
Before computers
When there were tutors
There was a time
When keys were found only on
typewriters and pianos
Now they are on a board
When struck they do record
There was a time
When screens were placed in windows
That would open and close
Today they are placed in TVs
There was a time
Photos were placed in albums
Today they are placed in computers, pads, phones and
laptops Pads, phones and laptops
May break if dropped
There was a time
When mail was placed in a box
That had a key and a lock
Now it is called snail
Because today there is email
There was a time
When there were only bathtubs
Step in, relax and scrub
Today showers are the style
Step in, turn on the water
Look up and smile
14 | P a g e
MY COMPANION
November 19, 2017
It’s waiting for me around the
corner I find a television
A friend I never envision
I recall Jackie calling it a boob
tube Its’ shape was that of a
cube
The sun and the
moon Shining into an
empty room Is my
friend
Silence
15 | P a g e
SYMPHONY
February 11, 2020
There are the musicians
Seated in their positions
The oboists.
The violinists
The flutists
All the instruments are now in tune
The conductor walks out to the podium
The audience claps
The audience then becomes silent
The baton is in her left hand
She slowly lowers the baton
The music is Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lunes
16 | P a g e
SUMMERS
April 23, 2022
Summers I miss
The walks along the beach
There are the sands the sun doth kiss
We walk hand in hand
Your hand is tanned
Barefoot we walk along
This is where we belong
With you swinging our arms
Your smiles and your charm
What we did many days
Was swim in the ocean
You could float
Mural:
Dana Farber Institute
But I would sink like a punctured boat
By Laura DeDonato Wiatt
You would hold me up by my back
Then you would let go and down I would sink
Like a sack full of sand
Up I came and you said let’s try it
You always won our games
You said “don’t quit”
Just like playing Scrabble
You’re the best
I failed again and again
You loved to compete
Once more you let go and then
Hooray, I was able to float on my back
Filled with laughter and food
I finally found the knack
The children of Ann and Julie,
Eleanor and George, Mary and
Ah! Those many cookouts we had
Al, Claire and John
For comfort, chairs with pads
Both of our families in our backyard
Also Ma, Aunt Camille, Ma
Emma and Pa Dom
Joyous summer days
There were games we played
Croquet and badminton were two
Gosh you were good
17 | P a g e
SUMMER
April 23, 2022
FUN
Ah! Those many cookouts we
had For comfort, chairs with
pads
Both of our families in our backyard
Joyous summer days
There were games we played
Croquet and badminton were
two Gosh you were good
You always won our games
Just like playing Scrabble you’re the best
You loved to compete
Filled with laughter and great food
The children of Ann and Julie, Eleanor and
George, Mary and Al, Claire and John
Also Ma, Aunt Camille, Ma Emma and Pa Dom
18 | P a g e
MOTHER’S DAY AT THE
BEACH
May 28, 2020
It is Mother’s Day again
Revere Beach is the name
It’s the same as way back then
Everything has remained the same
The wind, the ocean, and the sands
It’s there we swam and played
The wet sand would stick to our hands
Photos of you in the bathing suit you made
Evenings we went ballroom dancing
Mural, Dana Farber
On the ceiling was a spinning ball
Cancer Institute - 2016
By: Laura DeDonato
That’s
where we started romancing
The ball reflected light I recall
Again, we are walking together
I see the prints of your feet
It is perfect weather
You are floating above the sands
You must leave, I understand
19 | P a g e
RADIO SHOWS DURING
THE 1930’S
November 9, 2022
Abbott & Costello.
Two funny fellows
The Adventures of Ellery Queen
On Friday nights it was seen.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
A sleuth he was well known
The Adventures of Sam Spade.
Sam was hired and paid
Lone Ranger and Tonto
They captured thieves pronto
The Shadow
Who is he? Nobody knows
The Pennsylvanians with Fred Waring
A tuxedo Fred always was wearing
Fibber McGee and Molly
Their act was comedy
20 | P a g e
LADY
March 5, 2020
When we were young, we had a dog named Lady
She was white, constantly wagging her tail
Never did she wail
Ma gave her a job for school mornings
“I hear someone yawning’”
Ma said “Lady it’s almost time”
As I recall there were eleven stairs to climb
“If the kids don’t wake up soon you know what to do”
So many times, up the stairs she flew
“Not yet, I will tell you when to go
I hear them. Now go”
We got out of bed And hugged her
Downstairs went Lady
We got dressed and ran down for breakfast
Said goodbye to Lady Off we went to school.
==================================================
When Mary was about eight years old, she remembers one Easter Sunday she looked in her basket and a small chocolate bunny was gone. Lady stole it.21 | P a g e
A PLACE FOR A FAMILY
February 26, 2021
The ceilings, walls and floors remember
The way it used to be
Laughing, singing smiling
In the living room Jackie and I dancing
Jackie playing the piano
And singing mezzo soprano
Lots of love and joy
So many wonderful things are gone
But they remember Ma Emma singing
“Oh how I miss you tonight
Miss you when lights are low Oh how I need you tonight
More than you'll ever know
You're never out of my heart But I' d rather be lonely
And wait for you only
Oh, pal how I miss you tonight”
Parties in the finished basement with the DeDonato, Emma Balboni, Laura, Goglia, Pandolfo, and Mace families
We had many cookouts in our yard
Aunt Camille, Pandolfo, and Sister Mary Basil.
Also, Fiore. LaBerge families and their friends.
22 | P a g e
NEW YORK WORLD's
FAIR, 1964-1965 March 10, 2023
Eleanor and George, Jackie and I
decided to drive to the Fair. We took
Arthur Jr, Mark, Michael and Richard.
We met Eleanor, George, George Jr,
David and Stephen there. That was in
June 1965.
Adults’ admission was two dollars. That would be 19 dollars today.
Children admission was one dollar.
That would be nine dollars and fifty cents today.
Children two and under were admitted free.
One of the fair's most popular exhibits was the Vatican Pavilion, which featured Michelangelo's Pieta.
The Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after he was taken down from the cross.
We waited about two hours to see the sculpture.
A conveyor belt system was used to move people through the viewing in an orderly manner,
I took a photo of the Pieta,
Because of the moving belt it came out blurred.
Most popular exhibit at the IBM pavilion was The
Information Machine, a special-purpose theatre experience with multiple screens.
It was late in the afternoon. Jackie said I feel dizzy.
The hospital doctor couldn't tell us why.
After lying down for about 30-40 minutes.
She said she the room isn’t spinning.
We left and joined everyone.
23 | P a g e
A PLACE FOR A FAMILY
When I put on the lights
There is nothing to see
Gone are the Christmas trees
Pitch black are the nights
The years have quickly fled
Now there are empty beds
I have Jackie’s home-made
bedspreads
Empty rooms
Gone is Jackie’s perfumes
Empty chairs
Loving, caring family sat there
Someday a family will live here
And they will hear
The ceilings, walls and floors whisper and say
This was the way
Then the ceilings, walls, and floors will listen and remember new stories It will be ongoing communication
That will go on generation after generation
24 | P a g e
THE VISITORS
October 9, 2022
It is a day to remember
That day in September
They came and sat
On the Sunrise patio
The day was sunny
She came from Albany
Two came from Braintree
One came from Newton
The Braintree’s son
Two came from Arlington
Two came from New Hampshire
In the sun visitors perspired
They brought drinks and food
Salad, eggplant, cannoli, and cake
25 | P a g e
HEAVEN
and
ANGELS
"It's a Wonderful Life"
Angel detail
Design & Illustration for Brescia Ball Invitation 2011
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
26 | P a g e
VIRGIN MARY 1
January 19, 2019
As I was entering the Air Corps in 1943
My confessor, Father Ultan McCabe said to me
“I would like to give you a photo
To take every place you go
The Virgin Mary will keep you safe and sound”
I’ve seen photos of the Virgin Mary wearing a crown
It is inscribed “Mary Immaculate. Queen of Peace. Pray for us”
She protected me and I came home in 1945
During my life journey
She has been with me
And I have been her devotee
She guided me to Jackie
Who for sixty-seven years kept me happy
My undying gratitude Blessed Virgin Mary
27 | P a g e
VIRGIN MARY 2
February 16, 2019
Child of the Father
(Unto Me ye shall gather)
Mother of the Son
(Jesus is the only One)
Spouse of the Holy Spirit
(My love for you has no limit)
Virgin Mary be my defender
My heart surrender
Mother of Jesus protect me
You hold heaven’s key
Queen conceived without original sin
At Fatima occurred the miracle of the sun
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Queen of peace
The Immaculate Conception
28 | P a g e
ANGEL ON THE FLOOR
February 23, 2020
On the middle of the kitchen floor
Was something I never saw before
A blue angel so beautiful
Her beauty is indisputable
Wing tip to wing tip, one inch wide
Then I turned it on its side
One and three quarters inch is what I read
That is what the ruler said
Made of plastic and very thin
She has a tiny grin
At her feet are a boy and a girl
The girl has a blue ribbon in her hair
It looks like they are sitting on a chair
The angel's right hand is stretched out
Protecting them seems what it is all about
The following is on the back:
“Lord, have your angels every day
Watch and guide us on our way”
I did pick up this plastic angel. We did not know how it got on the floor. It appears to me it’s Jackie's and my guardian angel.
29 | P a g e
ANGELS CALLING
April 28, 2021
When you were gone
I cried
I became withdrawn
It was difficult to say goodbye
Then I heard the angels calling
Calling you home
There you said shalom
The angels replied, “Jackie shalom”
“Shalom to everyone you love”
That’s when I dried my eyes
You are where you belong
You are with Him
Singing heavenly hymns
=======================================================
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”Rumi (thirteenth century Persian poet)
30 | P a g e
NATURE
Wall mural, Nursery for Brady Wiatt
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
31 | P a g e
MOTHER EARTH
January 8, 2021
I am Mother Earth
You are the custodians
It’s in your hands
I want to live forever
You must rid me of pollutants, smog
and smoke
It's difficult to breathe
Air is my daughter
I want to breath clean air
There is nothing I can do
It is up to you
All I can do is observe
I want people to drink my clean water
I want people to bathe in my oceans
Enjoy everything on and in me, Mother Earth
32 | P a g e
THE BEACH
November 30, 2020
The soft waves reach out
Silently flow onto the beaches
The blue sky touches the silent sea
No sound is made until it begins, the breeze
Slowly the sound grows
To the beach huge waves flow
A crescendo when it hits the homes
The seas are foaming
High tide and people are starting to flee
The beach was awash with small branches of trees
The wind has started to decrease
At ebb tide the waves recede
Leaving behind puddles of water amongst the stones
Recovery Room Mural, Procedure Suite, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana Farber Cancer 33 | P a g e
Institute, Boston, MA - 2016
34 | P a g e
SIGNS OF SPRING
April 12, 2022
Flower buds begin to appear
Then bloom
The aroma is like perfume
They will be cut and trimmed
Then put in a vase
The tree leaves
Softly blowing is the breeze
Birds building nests
Portsmouth Cleome
Soon eggs appear
Acrylic, 18" x 24"
August, 2014
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Shells break and tweets are heard
And baby birds emerge
Mountain snows melt and water slowly flows
Gaining speed it becomes a torrent
To the open arms of the seas, it goes
35 | P a g e
Wall Mural - Picante Taqueria, Medford, MA
36 | P a g e
PEACE
May 22, 2021
The soft and silent sea
Stretching from shore to shore
Floating is an oar
Sail boats quietly flowing
The rowers rowing
The sandy beaches trod by bathers long gone
Sea gulls nibbling on plankton
The peace occasionally broken by speedboats
The leaves unmoving by the quiet wind
The whispering wind will occasionally stir them
The wind saying to birds “float along with me
Up beyond the trees”
I can take you to places you have never seen
They went along
Photo used for inspiration for the Dana Farba mural from Laura DeDonato Wiatt
37 | P a g e
WALKING
August 21, 2020
As I walk and look around
I hear so many wonderful sounds
Birds like the robin, warbler and whistling thrush
Like an artist brush
Their songs paint the air
I took the left path
Saw several birds taking a bath
Water is tricking down the brook
A wonderful place to sit and read a book
Flowers are everywhere
My favorite flower is the rose
All colors of roses
It hasn’t rained and all is dry
Staircase Sunset on Bussey Hill, Arnold
There are no clouds in the sky
Arboretum of Harvard University.
November, 2015
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Natures beauty is here to see
Oh, bumble bees are chasing me
They aren’t fun
So long, goodbye - I have to run
38 | P a g e
WE ARE CLOUDS
August 3, 2020
What do we do?
We produce a very important product, rain
People need us to grow products
We touch the earth and seas
Our fog makes it difficult to see
Ships slowly move or stop in fog
There are times when too much of rain falls
They flood cities and towns
There are also roaring sounds
Buildings may be destroyed
People are filling bags of sand
Higher and higher along the riverbanks
Now we part and the sun shines
Detail of wall mural, Plymouth, MA - 2015
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
39 | P a g e
SOUNDS
August 22, 2021
Do you hear them?
Listen
Your heartbeat when you are in love
The silent seas
The soft breeze
The sailboat on the lake
It doesn’t leave a wake
The puffin bird purr
Recovery Room Mural, Procedure
Suite, The Jimmy Fund Clinic,
Dana Farber Cancer Institute,
The gentle waterfall
Boston, MA - 2016
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
The quiet rainfall
Water that drips, drips, drips
And the birds that sip, sip, sip
40 | P a g e
THE WIND
July 13, 2020
The rain has stopped
The sun starts to set, and a rainbow appears
The sun disappears
A full moon rises
From the Atlantic the wind blows
From the sea to the shore
It whips up the sand
And drives it inland
Bathers’ skin stings
The growling waves foam
Bathers pack up and head for home
R ecovery Room Mural, Procedure Suite, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA - 2016
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
41 | P a g e
FALL AND WINTER
November 1, 2020
Leaves have color, red, yellow, pink
They will slowly fall and shrink
Gathering around its mother’s base
When snow falls there will be no trace
Daylight saving will soon end
No longer will light be extended
Days will be nights
City lights will be bright
I can see them in the distance
As daylight slows come there will be resistance
Nights will be days
Sunlight will come through on days of haze
Snow will begin to fall
It will slowly and lightly come down
It will go around and around
Then fall to the ground
Skiers and snowboards love many inches of snow
But not when it is five below
Kids will begin snowball fights
To view will be quite a sight
It will be a lot of fun
In high snow, it’s difficult to run
Walls will be made of snow and ice
Adults will pick sides and knock them over
They will break out in a sweat
Their clothes will be wet
42 | P a g e
SNOW
May 6, 2021
There it lies upon the mountain peak
White and soft like cotton
I can hear people talking
It’s coming from the bottom of the mountain
I hear a cable car
It’s climbing slowly
Someone is playing a guitar
People are feeling jolly
Soon skis will be put on
Slalom races are for another day
Today, is just the joy of skiing
It is late afternoon, and they are finishing their runs Each spring the snow does its act
Water rushes down the mountain side
Polluting streams and blocking roads
With sediment and debris
43 | P a g e
MR. WINTER
February 15, 2022
When I looked out there, he is
Wearing a white robe
From the top of his head
To the tip of his toes
The robe he spreads
While standing in many feet of snow
He gazes at his domain
It’s his until comes the rains
The winds blow
Then they speak
“It’s our time”
44 | P a g e
FURY OF NATURE
October 23, 2022
Slowly it starts
Gathering speed
Down the mountain it roars
It’s an avalanche
Here they come
Very long waves
Out they go
In all directions
It’s an earthquake on the ocean floor
It's a tsunami
The plane is in the center
There’s sunlight
Plane flies through its eye
Wind blows counterclockwise
It’s a hurricane
It erupts and flows
Down it goes
The ocean bubbles and steams
It’s red-hot lava
It’s a volcano
Slowly it happens
Sky darkens
Hear the piercing wind
Everything in its path is destroyed
It’s a tornado
45 | P a g e
THE HURRICANE
June 19, 2020
The soft sea slowly moves to the shore.
It is still, the sea floor
The wind whispers to the slumbering sea
The sea says “let me be”
“Wake up its headed your way
In the distance I see the lightening
What’s coming is going to be frightening”
The sea says “I hear the thunder.
My sister sea just told me it’s going to be a huge one. “
It has just begun
She said it will be larger than ’38
Havoc it will create
Wind and rain combine
Enormous sheet after sheet after sheet
I will be crashing onto the shoreline
I will be flooding homes and destroying streets
Anchored cruise ships will go to the ocean floor
Eventually I will retreat from the shore
46 | P a g e
HURRICANE OF ‘38
January 25, 2020
It happened on September 21, 1938
It hit all New England states
Living in East Boston, center went over my head
The sun came out and all was silent
Then suddenly it started again
The storm became violent
The wind came in with a tremendous roar
And the rain poured and poured
It was a once in a lifetime storm
The warm south Atlantic is where it formed
Granny Laura lived near Winthrop beach
The waves slammed hard, and the stone walls broke into pieces The water roared down the streets
And reached Granny Laura’s home
The roaring water started to foam
When it was over
Destruction was everywhere
$620 million was the cost
Homes, buildings, boats were lost
From Connecticut to Maine
700 lives were lost
=====================================================
Wind was recorded at 186 miles per hour at the Blue Hills Observatory.$620 million is calculated to be $11 billion today.
47 | P a g e
THE OLD MAN
May 10, 2022
He lived on a mountain in New Hampshire
He had many admires
Prominent feature was his square jaw face
Lived near the summit
He was as solid as granite
The weather was of no concern
He always looked stern
He always looked grim
The Abenaki Indians call him Stone Face
On May 3rd, 2003, disaster befell him
Being extremely old he fell
48 | P a g e
FAMILY
Mic
hael, Richard, Jackie, Roberta, Mark,
Laura, Arthur Sr., Claudia, Arthur Jr.
Stephanie and Mark
Michael and Carol
Laura, Jon, MJ, Roberta, Jack
and Mark
49 | P a g e
ME AND OUR FAMILY
August 16, 2020
In our family of nine
There were many wonderful times
George entered the Navy during WW2
Also always there
Following the path of Pa’s enlistment
Watching and taking care
during WW1
Were grandparents and Aunt Camille
Rebel that was in me
Was exposed when I was four
I refused to enter the school door
And drinking Pa’s wine on the cellar floor
At ten, hopping over an iron fence
And walking a narrow board
Twenty feet above tracks of a train
High school was a great place
There were activities I embraced
Track team, drama club, and cadets
We drilled with rifles and our own uniforms
In Boston we marched and performed
Left to right
Back Row Ann's husband Julie, my sister Rose
When drafted, Army Air Corps was my choice and me To be a fighter pilot I would rejoice
Second Row my sister Mary and sister Emma
Third Row my sister Ann and my brother
George
However, it wasn’t to be
I was a radio operator on a B-twenty-four
And proud of the uniform I wore
Doc entered the Army during WW2
Doc fell four days after landing on Normandy
The pain we felt was indescribable deep
It never went away
48 | P a g e
AUNT CAMILLE
(April 7, 1909 - January 22, 1987)
March 14, 2020
Some aunts are just there
On West Street was the location
Some are very rare
She kept the shop for one generation
Then there was Aunt Camille
Then decided to try sales
Aunt Camille was the rare one
She worked for Filene’s in downtown
Boston
Faults, she had none
She was there for our every need
Enjoyed traveling with friends
Favorites places were Italy and Hawaii
She, grandma and grandpa lived
close by
Around the corner on a street
Sunday February 6, 1944, was Rose’s
big day
From our home, about two hundred
feet
For Maid of Honor, Rose chose her
George was an usher
Hairdresser was the occupation she
preferred
She had a great charisma and smile
She had a great personality
She was an entrepreneur
Just a wonderful person
So she opened a beauty shoppe
A few debts she had to incur
Not in East Boston where she
resided
Downtown Boston is what she
decided
Having her visit us always was a joy
A cup of coffee and a cigarette
started her day
49 | P a g e
THE LAST DANCE
November 21, 2021
We were at a wedding reception
We went forward
In the dance hall
Then to the left, right and back
On the ceiling is a revolving ball
We did this a few times
She was sitting in a comfortable
Family and friends stopped to
chair
watch
She has gorgeous white hair
They smiled and clapped
I approached her and put my two
They said keep dancing
hands out
Once more we slowly went back,
Her entire life she has been devout
side, forward, side
She grasped them and I slowly lifted
her up
She said “I’m tired”
I escorted her to her seat and sat
I asked the band to play a song I
her down
know she enjoys
Family gathered around
Being with her is always a joy
Congratulations abound
We walked onto the dance floor
She is dancing with the angels
She’s beautiful in the blue dress she
Her name is Angela
wore
Grandma passed when she was
My right hand I placed
seventy-nine
On her waist
My left hand in her right hand
Then I put her right hand into my left
50 | P a g e
MY DEAR SISTER ROSE
March 4, 2022
My dear sister Rose
One hundred two years ago
On March the fourth
You came forth
Ann was one year younger than you
And Doc two
Two years passed, then it was my time
Happened in the summertime
George came two years after me
It was a year
Then Emma appeared
Mary was the last to arrive
Our family of nine thrived
You brought joy to our parents
For them it was an important event
You enjoyed me calling you Lillian
Devoted to your eight children
And many grandchildren
Humble, loving and cherished by all
51 | P a g e
MY SISTER ANN AND ME
September 10, 2017
On Easter Sunday I held your hands
And talked about the past
And spoke about tomorrow
But what a shame
Because tomorrow with you never came
When tomorrow started without you
I thought of the things we didn’t say
Sometimes when we close our eyes
The only thing we see
Are moments that are long gone by
Of how things used to be
Last night when I was in bed
I remembered each loved one, name by name
Who loved us and left us
Who had filled my life—with life
I finished and closed my eyes
But before I fell asleep
Your gentle lips touched my cheek
And I felt your kiss
It truly filled me with warmth
I turned to Jackie and said
“Ann just kissed me on my cheek”
52 | P a g e
MARY ROSE DEDONATO
90TH BIRTHDAY
I was only six and somehow I knew
As a baby we almost lost you
Played baseball better than the boys
Playing sports you really enjoyed
You played from morning until nightfall
You heard and answered His voice
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul was your
choice
It was in 1953 on the third of February
The Daughters welcomed you
Your novitiate was in Emmistburg, MD
Followed by teaching at St. John and St. Martin in Baltimore For several years at St. Catherine Laboure school in Harrisburg, PA Then you became Principal at St. James in Johnson City, NY
From there to Albany as Provincial Secretary to Sister Mary Basil Then back to St. James in Johnson City From there to St. Vincent in Philadelphia
Your next ministry was St. Paul in Binghamton, NY
Your ministry at Johnson City and Binghamton was a combined thirty-five years
53 | P a g e
MARY ROSE DEDONATO
90TH BIRTHDAY
Your most memorable moment
Was meeting and shaking the hand
of Pope John II
Who later became a Saint
You left a trail of love and many friendships
In 2003 we celebrated your fifty years of
service
Video was made of that happy event
Family, friends and your sisters were present
Now in Albany with your many sister friends
So many memories, happiness and joy
SOOOO
Lift up your glass and give her a toast
Happy birthday to our aunt
Happy birthday to our sister
We pray your birthdays never stop
We pray your birthdays never end
Wish you all the joy, health and peace
(Che tu abbia altri 90 che)
(Dio ti benedica)
May you have another 90
God bless you
54 | P a g e
SISTER MOLLY AND SISTER
MARY
July 14, 2020
Mary said to sister Molly
“Let’s use the bicycle built for two
I wil be in front and you in back”
Sister Molly said to sister Mary
“No you ride in back
And put on your backpack”
Sister Mary said to sister Molly “OK
But I wil show you the way”
Sister Molly said to sister Mary
“My eyes are sharp as an eagle
Running along with us is your beagle
We may need to take a detour
My legs are strong
Along the way please sing a song”
Off they went enjoying the ride
They wheeled past the park and city hall
They were having a ball
Once they stopped to talk with girls and boys
They were having a lot of joy
It was getting dark
The route home went by the same park
Arriving home they were happy and tired
55 | P a g e
THE GIRL
July 1, 2020
I know this girl from east of Boston
Keeps her brown hair in a bun
Her eyes are also brown
Thanks to God they are now in
Never made a frown
their nineties
The guys in east of Boston
Sixty-seven years of stories I
All agreed as one
can tell
Most beautiful girl they ever saw
When they looked at her, down went their jaws
The names of the girl and guy
east of Boston
This girl from east of Boston
Are Jackie and Arthur
From east of Boston is this one guy
When she saw him, she always said “Hi”
He holds her in high admiration
They are from “The Greatest Generation”
They’ve gone out a few times
She said “let’s do it again”
And so they did it again and again and again
To him she was a gem
Precious as gold
After many dates he said “let’s get married before we get old”
They started down the marriage pathway
They moved from east of Boston, to south of Boston
To a town named Holbrook
There were times they would say
“I will love you today more than I did yesterday
And tomorrow I will love you more than today”
The guy said "I have to tell you more about this girl Whose more precious than pearls
Kind, generous, compassionate, and loving"
56 | P a g e
GOING HOME
April 23, 2021
Being with the family in East Boston was great
I said “we should go. It is getting late”
We hugged and said our goodbyes
Got in the car and turned the heater up high
It was after five
I turned on the headlights
I started to drive
I stopped at the corner of Lexington and Brooks streets I rolled down the window
Looked around left and right
It was snowing lightly
Put out my left arm
Pointed left and made the turn
While driving I rolled up the window
Jackie is holding baby Arthur in her arms
Seat belts did not exist
As we drove into Boston it became difficult to see
Stopped at South Station and went inside
Spent the night there
The following morning, the roads were clean
and I drove home
57 | P a g e
RICHARD
October 11, 2020
When you were born, I was there
When you were baptized, we were there
When you received first communion, we were there
When you received confirmation, we were there
When you were an altar boy, we were there
When you played Little League baseball, we were there When you took horseback riding lessons, we were there When you played the cornet at St. Joe’s, we were there When you took piano lessons, we were there
When you played the guitar, we were there
We remember guitar was your favorite
And you did not need lessons
When you went to see The Lone Ranger, we were there
We lost you when you wandered off to see him
When you went to Old Sturbridge Village with Aunt Mary, we were there When you were eleven you played chess
Players from New England came to Northeastern University For 6th graders you came in second, we were there
At twelve you played chess at Boston YMCA and came in first, we were there When you were fifteen you got your Karate white belt, we were there At Archie’s you were a member of Archie’s Math and Science clubs, we were there Also at Archie’s you were inducted into the National Honor Society, we were there When in 1984 you graduated from Northeastern University, we were there In your graduation class there were about 600 graduates in the College of Engineering at Boston Garden, we were there
Of the 600 graduates you were one of thirty who graduated Summa Cum Laude, we were there
You were elected to Phi Kappa Phi
You went to New York World’s Fair, we were there
You went to Baseball Hall of Fame, we were there
You climbed Mt. Washington, I was there
You climbed Mt. Chocorua, I was there
At the weddings of Claudia and Arthur, Stephanie and Mark, Roberta and Mark, Carol and Michael, we were there
This is our son of whom we are very proud
58 | P a g e
YOU NEVER GOT TO
KNOW
July 8, 2020
You never got to know
Waiting at the altar
As she starts walking
Family and friends turn their heads
Whisper about her gown and beauty
Her father gently kisses her
Hands her to you
You face the priest and kneel
And say “I do”
You never got to know
To have a girl of your own
To love and cherish and see her grow
From a baby to a beautiful girl
With hair your wife could curl
Get married and you become a papa
Years later you become a great grandfather
You never got to know
To have a boy of your own
To love and cherish and see him grow
Teach him to tie his shoelaces and Windsor knot
How a baseball should be caught
Teach him how to hit, pitch and throw
The thrill of a toboggan in the snow
Gets married and you become a papa
Years later you become a great grandfather
You never got to know
The enjoyment of the beaches at Cape Cod
The fun of climbing Mt. Washington’s top
Sometimes on the way up just stop
And enjoy the view
You never got to know
To fly in an airplane
You did ride a train
From Ft. Devens to Ft. McClellan in Alabama
59 | P a g e
YOU NEVER GOT TO KNOW (Cont.)
You never got
To own a car
To travel near and far
You never got
To see on television a hockey game
To see the greatest defenseman-Bobby Orr
And boy could he score
To see on television a basketball game
To see the greatest defensive player ever-Bill Russell Up and down the court he hustled
To see on television the game of baseball
Remember what Ted William did?
He ended the 1941 season with a batting average of 406
He was known as The Splendid Splinter
As a base runner he wasn’t a sprinter
To see the Red Sox World Series Champion in 2004
Otto “Doc” landed on
Squashed was the Curse of the Bambino lore
Omaha Beach on
We waited for eighty-six years
July 4, 1944.
The Red Sox Nation cheered and cheered
He fell on July 8,
1944, near the town
To see on television a football game
of La Haye-du-Puits.
To see the greatest quarterback
He was
Mr. Brady known as Tom
posthumously
Whose passes were bombs
awarded the Purple
Heart and the Bronze
You never got to know
Star
A pocket phone or iPad
That takes and sends pictures and videos
That stores them on the phone and in the cloud
Adjusts the volume mute or loud
That sends and receives mail
Regardless of snow, rain or hail
A computer of your own
That does more than a phone
That can find almost anything
You never got to know
Because of your bravery
60 | P a g e
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
December 26, 2022
Pa going to South Station to drive you home
Our family anxiously waiting
You in your uniform
You serving three years in the Army
Hearing pa’s car and we are looking out the
windows
You stepping out and coming in
Ma, pa, grandma Angela, grandpa Antonio,
Aunt Camille, Rose, Frank, Ann, Julie,
Eleanor, George, Emma, Mary, Jackie and I
hugging and kissing you
Otto "Doc" DeDonato
Our celebration beginning
Hanging out with your friends
Reminiscing when you all played football
Now you and the guys play touch football
Looking at thousands and thousands and thousands of sunrises and sunsets Driving a car
Coming with us to Cape Code beaches
And Goose Rocks beach in Maine
Family meeting your girlfriend Elizabeth
She becomes your bride
I being your best man
George, Tom Carter, and two friends are ushers
61 | P a g e
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (Cont.)
Couple of years later you and Elizabeth visiting Normandy Showing her Omaha Beach
You’re blessed with a girl and a boy
The years swiftly fly
Both in college
The girl on the basketball team
The boy on the baseball and hockey team
After graduating they want to see Omaha Beach
Seeing them setting foot on the beach
Their desire to see the road where you marched for eight hours You being exhausted and immediately facing the enemy
They are hiding behind hedgerows
The children marrying
You as a grandfather and great grandfather
Elizabeth and you in your nineties
You thanking God for all blessings
Page | 62
LAURA AND JON
September 4, 2010
The train is pulling into the station
Let’s all climb aboard for its destination
“Where are we going”? you may ask
To the land of Sharon for the blast
We will gather, talk and gaze
And many will sing Laura’s praise
Here she glides on her dad’s arm
Gleefully showing all her charms
Wait there is Jon tall and handsome
What a beauty what a pair
Rays of sunshine shimmer in her hair
Vows will be spoken with intensity
And will last from now through eternity
Quoting someone, I don’t know who
“May your troubles be less, and your blessing be more And nothing but happiness come through your door
May you be friends to each other as only best friends can And may you love each other as only best friends can"
To Laura and Jon from Grandma and Papa
Our blessings for a lifetime joy and peace
We love you both dearly
Page | 63
LAURA, YOUR BABY BOY
January 10, 2020
Laura your baby boy may someday be a clinician
Or a mathematician, lab technician, or even a musician Laura your baby boy may someday be a chemist
Or an economist, biologist
Maybe like you an artist
Laura your baby boy may someday be a teacher
Or a preacher, chief operating officer, or find the cure for a cancer Maybe a professional ball player
Laura your baby boy may someday be a doctor
Or an actor, author, administrator, explorer or an editor Laura your baby boy may someday be a banker
Or a nightly news anchor
Me
holding Brady with Laura
Page | 64
RICHARD OUR GODSON
June 14, 2019
My sister Rose had another boy
I am grateful that she asked me.
I held you in my arms while the priest
christened thee
Emma is your Godmother
It was a day of celebration and joy
I did a little bit of singing
These are times people drink and sing
Wonderful time with relatives and friends
I love you too Richard
Page | 65
FRIENDSHIP
and VALUES
Beach Days Acrylic & Mixed Media
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 66
FRIENDSHIP
December 20, 2021
When the sea of life is peaceful
And is calm and still
When the waves of life try to sink our
ships
We are ready for any trip
We have each other’s support
On land and in any port
D
ecember. 2015
We listen when our ships speak
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Even when things appear bleak
We share times of happiness
We feel blessed
Through thundering waves and stormy seas
When skies have lightning and thunder
Our ships will never go under
Because our ships are sturdy
We are best friends
Page | 67
TELL ME
December 26, 2020
Tell me how you feel
When someone does you an act of kindness?
How does it feel when you show someone an act of kindness?
Tell me how you feel
When someone says to you, I’m grateful
Do you feel joyful?
Tell me how you feel
When you help at a food bank?
And then when people say “thanks”
Tell me how you feel
When you forgive someone?
Not only one, but everyone
Tell me how you feel
When you look around and see the wonders of nature?
And al of God’s creatures
Building Mural. Brookside
Community Health Center
Tell me how you feel
October, 2021
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
When holding a baby?
Tell me how you feel
Of millions not having enough to eat?
No cheese, butter, pasta, or meat
Tell me how you feel
When you express compassion?
Tell me how you feel
When you treat others as you like to be treated?
Tell me how you feel
Attending religious services?
Page | 68
YOU AND ME
January 29, 2020
Of the things we did today?
Were they better than what we did yesterday?
When we go to sleep at night
Do we feel we did all things right?
Were we kind to everyone we met?
Or is there someone we forgot and regret?
(Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see-Mark Twain)
Kindness brings joy to a person
Of this I am certain
Compassion. Did we give without hesitation?
The person receiving will show appreciation
“Forgiving you is my gift to you.”-Anonymous
It is something we should try to do
Are we humble sometimes?
We should make that sometime most of the time
Page | 69
WAYS TO LIVE
October 6, 2021
Don’t be angry,
Start with a smile
Soon that becomes a grin
You will feel a warm glow within
What do you accomplish with your anger?
It eats at you like a cancer
Forgiveness is a gift that is easy to give
Try doing it as long as you live
Be kind to everyone
And you will be happy when the day is done
When life is near the end
Gathering around you will be family and friends
Here is what they will say
Your way became our way
Smiling, calm, had no malice, kind, and joyful
Wall Mural, Brookside Community
Health Center
October, 2021
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
.
Page | 70
ACT OF KINDNESS
May 26,2019
I went food shopping yesterday
It was a beautiful day in May
Before I left. I remembered what Jackie always said
“Put your World War II cap on your head”
I ordered lobsters to be cooked.
There were other orders booked
Told to come back in thirty
I returned in forty
I took my bag and headed for the checkout line
While waiting a woman, about forty, said to me
“I want to pay for your groceries”
That is kind of you, but I can pay it”
She said "I want to do it
My nephew just became a Marine graduate
What he went through there I can appreciate”
While the cashier was scanning what I bought
And I did buy a lot
I was putting the items in bags
She pulled out her credit card and paid for what I bought I asked for her name, and she said Doris
I asked her to hug me
She gave me a big one
What a kind generous woman
The bill was seventy-eight dollars
Page | 71
FRIENDS
Mural: Summer of Work and Learning,
Brockton, MA - 2016
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 72
MY BEST FRIEND ED
TEED
October 15, 2020
I went to East Boston High
You attended Mechanics Arts in Boston
After high school you worked for John
Hancock
I worked for a company on the other block
You met Sally Johnson of Braintree
Later you two became “we”
December 7th changed our lives forever
Our teenage years ended
The Marine Corps was your choice
When you became a fighter pilot you rejoiced
I entered the Army Air Corps
We exchanged letters
You wrote “when we are home again
I will teach you to fly
It never happened
We never saw each other
El Toro, San Diego was your station
You practiced flying in formation
You were on a training flight over the Pacific
What happened was horrific
Your plane went down
You were never found
Page | 73
Grief overwhelmed your mother Mabel and your wife Sally Page | 74
SUSAN PERNICE
(OCT 15, 1960-JAN. 2, 2015)
June 20, 2015
October 15th was the day
Our friends Mary and Bob came to say
“We have a baby girl name Sue Pernice”
Our family is beginning to increase
When I saw Susan on her home visits
“Hug me Mr. DeDonato with a squeeze”
“Call me Arthur will you please?”
“No, Mr. DeDonato, I won’t be at ease”
Susan was super-nice
Devoted loving daughter and incredible wife
Many years she was a volunteer at Boston's April Marathon Now her soul has soared
“Just Divine embrace Eternal Light”
“In the Mansions of the Lord”
===================================================
(Quotations from the song “Mansions of the Lord” written by Randel Wallace”)Page | 75
GEORGE J. MATTHEWS
February 14, 2021
Raised in East Boston Mass.
East Boston High, 1947 class
Played basketball at the Paris Street gym
He also played baseball and football in Eastie
Probably at the City Yard on Condor Street on Eagle Hill Attended Northeastern University nights
Later in life he became a knight
Graduated in 1956
George was twenty-six
Elected to Northeastern University Board of Trustees in 1978
He was given the honor of The Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher by Vatican State In 1989 it started
He became Board Chairman
He remained in the Chair
For ten years he was there
Transformed Northeastern from a regional institution to a nationally ranked university
Placed Boston near the top as an educational city
========================================================
Matthews Arena, originally known as the Boston Arena, was named after him.
Pa
ge | 76
George Matthews
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Northeastern University
Boston MA
October 2, 1997
Dear Mr. Matthews,
On the evening of September 19, 1997, at the 50th class reunion of East Boston High School you met my sister Mary who graduated with you. She told the family about the conversation concerning our brother Otto. I am grateful to you for remembering him so well. He was a very special brother and being older than I he was always willing and ready to give me support and advice. The story about his nickname “Doc” still in the concrete on Princeton St. is very emotional
Being younger I didn’t know all the members of the Carter Club, but I do remember Tom. I understand he is your uncle and is doing fine. Please give him my very best.
Thank you for devoting your efforts attempting to locate Doc’s grave in France.
He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
Thanks again
Arthur J. DeDonato
19 Hillsdale Rd
Holbrook MA 02343
Page | 77
HEROES
and
HISTORY
Wall Mural - East Middle School, Brockton, MA
August, 2014
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 78
COMMANDORE EDWARD
PREBLE
(15 August 1761 – 25 August 1807)
February 5, 2021
The Barbary pirates would plunder along North African coast
Of their successes they would boast
In 1803 Commodore Edward Preble was ordered to go
there
And quickly settle the affair
He had seven ships in command
There was the possibility of fighting hand to hand
The lead ship, USS Constitution, with 44 guns, was very fast The pirates’ ships could not slip past
He was told initially
To sign a peace treaty
Then blockade Tripoli city
Preble attacked the port
He told his gun crews: "Blow your matches, boys”
The 44 guns caused fires that were tremendous
The pirates’ fears were horrendous
The casualties his men inflicted were many
The Commodore congratulated the boys
Many buildings were destroyed
===================================================================
My niece, Elaine Preble DeDonato is approximately the 10th generation niece of Commander Preble. Every year descendants of the Commander are invited to come on board the USS
Constitution. The last time she and her family boarded the ship was about 20 years ago. Elaine is married to my brother George’s son, Stephen. They have four sons, Stephen, Matthew, Jason and Ryan. Elaine and Jackie share the same birthday, July 19th.
===================================================================
Page | 79
CHRISTMAS
December 20, 2020
This is a remarkable true story
It happened Christmas eve nineteen fourteen
What happened was unforeseen
A German officer started to sing
He sang my second favorite Christmas song
“Silent night, holy night All is calm all is bright”
My first is “O, Holy Night”
It was an unforgettable sight
Sounds of rifles firing
Shells exploding
The German officer who
All stopped
started to sing was Walter
Their rifles they dropped
Kirchhoff.
Soldiers from both sides emerged
He was a tenor with the
At no man’s land they converged
Berlin Opera.
No officer gave a command
Americans and Germans shook hands
They shared gestures of goodwill and both sides were kind They exchanged cigarettes, cigars, and wine
Also exchanged champagne
The only way I can explain Christmas is the celebration of Love’s pure light The Christmas spirit prevailed even during a world war It managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends Unfortunately the war did not end
Page | 80
FATHER’S
DAY
June 14, 2019
Father’s Day began in 1907
The idea of the town
To commemorate 362 coal miners who met
having a day to honor
their fate
fathers began with Mrs.
Grace Golden Clayton,
who approached her
That was a hundred and fourteen years ago
minister at William’s
Memorial Methodist
It is a day to celebrate
Episcopal Church South
with her plan. While
For the man who gave you everything
Clayton had not lost her
father during the mining
From your birth until you left for college or put
explosion, she was
on a wedding ring
deeply affected by his
death in 1896, and she
felt profound sympathy
He worked many jobs night and day
for the families who were
That was just his way
mourning in the wake of
the disaster.
For those whose fathers are no longer here
“It was partly the
This is a day to shed a lot more than one tear
explosion that set me to
think how important and
loved most fathers are.
Recall those memories when he was always
All those lonely children
near
and the heart-broken
wives and mothers,
When you tell him "I love you" he does hear made orphans and
widows in a matter of a
few minutes. Oh, how
sad and frightening to
have no father, no
husband, to turn to at
such a sad time,”
Page | 81
ANGELS OF MERCY
November 15, 2020
Robert Wright and Ken Moore of the 101st
Airborne
Were trained to save lives, not take lives
So soldiers would continue to survive
They jumped into France on D-Day
What they did in June 1944 was
extraordinary
They landed near a church in Angoville
Wounded were brought inside
Morphine and bandages were applied
Wounded Germans had to leave their
weapons outside
Including the Germans there were eighty
injured
The church pews have memories of what they did
They have the blood stains of the wounded
The plaque reads:
“FOR HUMANE AND LIFE
Bob Wright received three Purple Hearts
SAVING CARE RENDERED TO
They both received a Silver Star
80 COMBATANTS AND A CHILD
IN THIS CHURCH IN JUNE
There is a monument in Angoville honoring
1944”
them
Bob Wright passed on December 21, 2013
Ken Moore passed on December 7, 2014
Page | 82
D-DAY
June 6, 2020
It happened way back when
Teenagers suddenly became
men
They stopped their games of
play
All those games of ball
What happened seventy-six years ago today?
These teenagers and older men landed on Omaha and Utah What they did I hold them in awe
Bravery was recognized and medals awarded
Movies, documentaries, actual film, and books have recorded What they did on that eventful day
On that day there were 2,499 casualties
It was the beginning of the end of totalitarianism
Today we live in a world of egalitarianism
Pray that it will never end
========================================================
George was only seventeen years old. He had just graduated from high school when he entered the navy. Otto (Doc) was twenty years old when drafted by the army,
========================================================
November 11, 2022The ugly head of totalitarianism is rising again. A former president lost an election. He and his followers continue to believe he won.
Page | 83
EAST BOSTON
August 9, 2022
Irish and Canadians first came to Eastie
Then came the Russian Jews and Italians
Following them were people
From Central and South American countries
During World War I, areas of East Boston served as an internment camp for Germans John F. Kennedy's great-grandfather was one of many Irish people to immigrate to East Boston, and at least one Kennedy family lived there for some time. From 1920 to 1954,
“When my great grandfather left here to become a cooper in East Boston, he carried nothing with him except two things: a strong religious faith and a strong desire for liberty. I am glad to say that all of his great grandchildren have valued that inheritance.” Visit to Ireland
In 1954, John F. Kennedy famously paraded through East Boston with his wife, Jackie, in anticipation for his campaign to run for United States Senate, to secure votes from the neighborhood.
In a famous photograph, Kennedy is shown walking down Chelsea Street heading towards Maverick Square, waving to the crowd in front of Santarpios.
The first public branch library in the United States was established in East Boston in 1870.
Its’ current location is at 365 Bremen Street
]The Orient Heights section of East Boston was the first area in Massachusetts to which Italians immigrated in the 1860s and 1870s, and today the heart of the Italian community remains in East Boston. Beginning in the mid 1800’s, it was the shipbuilding companies that soon became East Boston's most famous industry, and the mainstay of its economy.
Madonna - Queen of the Universe shrine, sits on top of a hill at the Heights. It is a replica of the original religious structure in Rome.
Page | 84
POLITICS
Page | 85
THE NARCISSIST
October 6, 2016
This guy is a narcissist
When talking he is a bull throwing artist
He dodged the draft by pulling this scheme
“I have a bone spur in my heel”
Doc had two thirds of his right middle index removed
But for the draft, Doc was approved
“I brilliantly used the tax laws”
This guy has no flaws
“I don’t have to pay taxes”
“That is for you to practice “
“Pay military and veterans with your taxes”
“You’re a bunch of a——-es”
“That makes me smart”
“Yeh, you can call me a braggart”
“John McCain is not a hero”
What does this guy know
He is a schmo
Page | 86
THE NARCISSIST-PART 2
October 11, 2016
“I am 59 years old. It’s locker room talk”
He can boast and think no one will squawk
Paul Ryan said: “I’m sickened by what I heard”
But his reply is “I am undeterred”
“I will never quit”
“I won’t admit, I’m a misfit”
Warren Buffet said “He was a walking disaster as a businessman for much of his life”
How many times did he cheat on his wives or wife?
We know that he is crass
We also know he is a big jackass
“Lying is one of my traits”
“Admitting would be a big mistake”
Don’t be fooled by his making money perception
What he wants is more attention
Remember at the beginning what Mitt Romney said
He doesn’t have what he claims as bread
His assets may be many many millions
What we don’t know are his liabilities
Perhaps in the future or tomorrow
We will know his net worth (Assets minus Liabilities) is a fat zero He puts his foot in his mouth
He is such a lout
This is not the end
Page | 87
There will be more to write and for me to send
Page | 88
THE EAGLE
November 10, 2020
The eagle is flying high
Flying down to the people
And tells them from the steeple
European nations will be our friends
No more shaking hands with Asian dictators
Agreements that he broke
They went up in smoke
Paris on climate accord
Many nations were on board
The Trans-Pacific trade
Trade agreement that twelve countries made
The Iran nuclear deal restoring sanctions
Britain, France and German disapproved of his action
The UN Council on Human Rights
This council is always ready to fight for those rights
========================================================
He stopped giving financial aid to the U.N. agency that provides health care to approximately 3 million Palestinians, education assistance to 500,000 children, micro-loans to another 400,000 beneficiaries.He wanted to pull out of:
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty and South Korean Trade Deal.
He wanted to include Russia in the group of seven.
Page | 89
THE LOSER
December 9, 2020
Lawsuits were filed in eighteen states
Rudy Giuliani did the debates
A couple were Pennsylvania and Nevada
They were based on false data
Two more were Michigan and Arizona
This is the guy who caught corona
Wearing mask was not for him
Another state was Wisconsin
Its Supreme Court voted against him
There were several results
Biden supporters exults
This is what the courts said
The words that he dread
"Denied"
The rule of law was applied
“Dismissed”
On hearing he grimaced
“Rejected”
To no avail he objected
“Withdrawn”
His lawsuit is what the court acted on
“Dropped”
They realized no case so, they stopped
United States Supreme Court DENIED nine to zero
He thought he is a superhero
He won’t admit it’s the end
The president is Joe Biden
Page | 90
HEALTH
Page | 91
CORONAVIRUS
July 15, 2020
Back in May 2020
It was Desdemona
Who carried the corona
On a flight from Oklahoma to
Barcelona Then on to Italy to see the
city of Verona
June, 2020 she hopped on a plane
Destination was to be Maine
She ended up in Oklahoma
She was confused and disoriented
Off to the hospital you go
She didn’t realize she carried it
Into the ICU you may end
Back in May 2020
The doctors and nurses rush in
From person to person it was transmitted
Rabbi, priest or minister may be the
last person to see you
More than 3.6 million Americans have
been infected
Don’t let this happen to you
More than 139 thousand have died -
Why?
Wash your hands
Stay six feet apart
You don’t want to cover your face
And finally, as a doctor said
CDC’s recommendation you don’t want to “Put them damn mask on”
embrace
You enjoy drinking in nightclubs and bars
You enjoy huddling together at the seashore
Again, CDC’s recommendation you ignore
You don’t want to be at least six feet apart
Let me tell you about the first responders
They may become your blood donors
Page | 92
THE PANDEMIC
January 13, 2021
During the coronavirus scourge
And several of the following surges
Record for your grandchildren and your great grandchildren how you survived Daylight disappeared across the land
Only scientists could understand
Many days, weeks months were dark
Wearing a mask everywhere
Washing hands often was suggested
Millions were covid-19 tested
Disinfect as many things as you can
Tell them where this virus began
Wuhan China was the place
It was there that it was traced
Record how wipes and toilet paper disappeared
Store shelves were filled and quickly cleared
Wasn’t a good idea to shake hands
Six feet distance from each other was recommended to stand Ravage of the virus took thousands of lives
Many with mild symptoms survived
Nurses and doctors had to wear personnel protection equipment Supplies were sometimes insufficient
Because hospital rooms were unavailable
Patients were placed in hallways
Extremely ill patients were placed in ventilators
ICU’S rooms were ful
Makeshift hospitals were assembled
A Naval ship hospital was sent to New York City
When this pandemic disappears
The present will be a memory
Page | 93
VACCINES
December 30, 2020
You came here because you believe
Time to roll up your sleeve
You will be given Moderna or Pfizer
Neither one will make you wiser
But you came because you are wise
Now close your eyes
I don’t want you to see
The long needle to be placed in thee
Before you close your eyes
Roll up your sleeve
Which arm do you want the injection?
This vaccine is your protection
Without the vaccines the world would be facing a crisis The battle would be won by the virus
Millions of persons would no longer be here
It would be worse than the 1918-19 Spanish flu
Doctors, nurses, scientists didn’t know what to do
An estimated 100 million lives were lost
Page | 94
EXERCISE
May 22, 2020
My doctor said be wise
Get out and exercise
Put your mask on your face
If caught without, you will be disgraced
Not using the mask, you may be inclined
If caught you could also be fined
Before each walk that you begin
Hold your head up and chin in
When walking let your arms swing
Staying in isn’t a good thing
If you don’t, your muscles will get weak
It would take only a few weeks
To walk closer than six feet
To say “Hello” to people you meet
Is not a wise thing to do
These guidelines the CDC said to pursue
When you go home toss the mask away
It isn’t good for another day
Don’t touch your face
Before you eat say grace
Washing your hands is the last thing to do
When this is over you will then
Hug and kiss again
Stay Safe. Stay Home.
Page | 95
MY MUSCLES
November 25, 2020
My muscles have stopped growing
Biceps aren’t much for showing
They are shrinking fast
They won’t last
There is something I must do
Reverse the process some how
I’ve got to start now
I read this is what I have to do
It came from martial arts
It uses body parts
I use both arms and hands
I sit, I don’t stand
There are times to breathe out and in
Also to touch my skin
Then I open the door
I don’t look at the floor
Put one hand up
The other hand beneath
It’s like holding a ball
Sitting down I won’t fall
This is called embracing the moon
Exercise morning or afternoon
Hugging the tree is next
That’s the last exercise in the text
Page | 96
WEIGHT
January 2, 2021
I stepped on a scale
What I saw came as a surprise
There in front of my eyes
A number I had never seen before
This number I cannot ignore
I’ve put on a lot of weight
I now weigh 20 stones
No longer am I just skin and bones
My stomach has plenty of flab
There’s a lot to grab
I have to take action
I don’t want to put on any more stones
I’ve been walking with a slouch
When bending over I’m always saying “ouch”
Well, I will have to workout
I cannot go out
I will sit on a recliner
Later I will dine
Go back very slow
Up and back, up and back
Oh, it’s time for a snack
I will be back
Exercise several times
It’s just about bedtime
I’ve got to go
I will do this every day
Till my stones are 15
Page | 97
CHECKUP
March 23, 2022
Saw the doctor the other day
This is what he had to say
You eat too much
See when I touch
He poked me in several places
His finger always disappeared
Remember what I said last year?
Stay away from sugar and bread
You have many pounds to shed
So stop cold
If you don’t you won’t get old
No breakfast and lunch for a few weeks
Don’t worry you won’t get weak
For dinner cut your calories one third
Page | 98
AMERICAN
PASTIME
L aura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 99
BASEBALL
July 23, 2020
Take me out to the ball game
Take me where there is no crowd
Cheering and yelling won’t be loud
Peanuts and cracker jacks will not be sold
So I have been told
The crowd will be back again in 2021
Again touching home plate will be many many
runs
Because gone for good is the covid-19
And many many games will be seen
I will root, root, root for the Red Sox
They will come charging right out of the block
They win twenty in a row
In 2021 here are new rules of the game
All others remain the same
The batter must stay at home plate
There he will wait for his fate
He either gets a hit, strikes out gets hit by a pitch or base on balls Most hitters think I will put the next one over the center field wall A manager can no longer point to first base
Which means the batter just goes to the base face to face.
You can now argue with the ump
No more designated hitter
Those players will feel bitter
The pitcher must bat
And that is that
Pitchers can pitch three or four innings
That way they will pitch every three to four days
That’s the way the game will be played
Page | 100
THE LIFE OF A BASEBALL
July 25, 2020
I start with a core
Then wrapped with threads of cotton, wool polyester
Finally a cover made from cowhide
And stitches are applied
I am only one color
I am white
The stitches are very tight
I weigh about 5 ounces
And I don’t bounce
Players throw me many times
Batter hits me
It’s a line drive
The fielder makes a dive
I go past him into the outfield
Then I’m hit as a grounder
The infielder misses me
That’s an error
There was a time
When kids played with me in a field or a sandlot
Sometimes, I could not be caught
In between their legs I would go
The outfielder would pick me up and throw
Into a glove I would land
Players caught me with left or right hand
They use me until my cover comes off
Then electrical tape was used
To cover my bruises
Around and around me went the tape
Until I was again in good shape
I cost a lot of money
Kids didn’t have any
I’d get hit and be lost in the woods
Kids would find me
I would be used until I had nothing left
Everything was gone but my small core
I was of no use anymore
Page | 101
PERFECT GAME
September 12, 2022
What is a perfect game?
What must a pitcher do?
Pitch a complete game without a runner reaching base
Either by hit, error or base-on-balls
The 1957 Little League World Series game was played by a team from Monterrey Mexico and the United States team from Arizona.
The Mexican team was the first team from outside the United States to play in a L.L. World Series . The team nickname was The Little Giants.
The Mexican team pitcher was Angel Macias.
He defeated the United States team.
Angel pitched a perfect game.
It is the only one ever pitched in a Little League World Series Championship game.
Angel played pro ball in the California Angels organization.
President Eisenhower invited the team to the White House.
A photo was taken of the president holding the trophy.
Page | 102
ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS
PROFESSIONAL
BASEBALL LEAGUE
August 18, 2022
During World War II, the All-American
Girls Professional Baseball League was
formed
The players did not wear a pants uniform
Their uniform was a dress worn to the
knees
When they raised their arms up
The uniform came up in the air
The base path was dirt
Sliding into a base hurt
Sometimes strawberries wounds appeared on their legs
Enshrined in Cooperstown
Is Hall of Fame Jimmie Foxx
He played first base for the Red Sox
Jimmie was a manager for a girls’ team
The league ended in 1954
Total of twelve seasons
=======================================================
Baseball Hall of Fame commemorate the league with an exhibit Movie “A League of Their Own” with Tom Hanks as manager is based on this leaguePage | 103
JACKIE MITCHELL BASEBALL
PITCHER
July 21, 2020
Jackie trotted out to the mound
She digs her cleats into the ground
The manager put the ball in her glove
“I know you can do it”
“They are the best in basebal ”
It’s the first inning of the game
The batter is left-handed
He has a paunch and wide body frame.
The first pitch call is a ball
The second he swings
He says “Throw another like that”
“I’ll put it in the centerfielder seats"
Jackie accommodates him
Another one he misses
He digs in his spikes
The fourth is a called third strike
He throws his bat into the dirt in disgust
Here comes the next one
He bats from the left side of the plate
Three pitches are thrown
He misses all of them
The crowd cheers for a long time
She becomes nationwide known
Jackie struck out
The Sultan of Swat and the Iron Horse
========================================================
Seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell was brought in to pitch during the first inning by Lookouts manager Bert Niehoff after the starting pitcher, Clyde Barfoot, gave up a double and a single. The next two batters were Ruth and Gehrig. After taking a ball, Ruth swung and missed the next two pitches. Mitchell's fourth pitch was a called third strike. Ruth was quoted in a Chattanooga newspaper as having said: “I don't know what's going to happen if they begin to let women in baseball. Of course, they will never make good. Why? Because they are too delicate. It would kill them to play ball every day.”Next up was "the Iron Horse" Gehrig, who swung through the first three pitches to strike out after which Jackie Mitchell became famous for striking out two of the greatest baseball players.
Page | 104
JACKIE, MISTER NO. 42
March 3, 2020
It was on January 19, 1919, that Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born It was winter
The day wasn’t warm
Father left when he was one
Mother raising five kids was no fun
There wasn’t much money
Sometimes he had an empty tummy
In this Georgia state
For blacks there was a lot of hate
Football was his favorite sport at UCLA
All four sports a varsity letter, in one year, he won To this day he is the only one
Jackie had to leave UCLA in his senior year
The reason was very clear
To help his mother care for the family of five
Because of Jackie they all thrived
He went to Hawaii to play semi-pro football
“Jackie Jackie” the fans would call
He left two days before Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan Many years the Japanese had this plan
To bring the United States to its knees
As you know the war raged across many seas
He served in the army during WWII
Lieutenant was his grade
A bit of subordination he displayed
He refused to sit at the back of a military bus
Jackie put up a fuss
Page | 105
JACKIE, MISTER 42
Major League Baseball
retired no. 42.
He was facing court-martial
Only the future knew he would someday sparkle
The charges were dropped
To honor him every April
He could have been jailed and for a while life
15th every MLB player
would have stopped
wears number 42
———————————
While playing for the Monarchs in Kansas City
He came to the attention of Branch Rickey
1947 MLB Rookie of the
Year
Branch didn’t have to consult with any committee
1949 NL MVP
What he said was law
1949 NL Batting Champion
Didn’t think he had any flaws
He had a tryout with the Red Sox in Boston
All the team members he was able to outrun
The tryout was a sham
It was a flimflam
The owner Tom Yawkey was a racist
The Red Sox were the last team to sign a black player That was 1959
1
Jackie’s first game was April 15, 1947, at the age of twenty eight He was destined to be great
He played only ten seasons 1947-1956
1955-World Series
With his speed he did inflict
Champion
Nineteen times he stole home
———————————
(It is a lost skill)
Every time opposing players groaned
Los Angeles Dodgers retired
No.42
He was a man of honor, dignity and grace
He was proud of his race
Major League Baseball All-
Century Team
Jackie passed on October 24, 1972
The number 42 was retired by UCLA
Enter Baseball Hall of Fame
1962
No more will someone with that number will be able to play It covered all sports and sexes
———————————
Shows how Jackie is held in awe and respect
Jackie Robinson:
In 1981 UCLA dedicated and opened a stadium
“A life is not important
They named it Jackie Robinson
except in the impact it has
His statute can be found near the entrance
on other lives"
Page | 106
TED WILLIAMS
December 7, 2018
He was known as “Teddy Ball Game”
Also known as the “Splendid Splinter”
“The Kid” was also his nickname
September 28, 1941, in Philadelphia
He set a record that will never be broken
In the last game of the season, the manager
said he could sit
His batting average was .3999
It would be rounded to .400
Ted said to Joe Cronin the manager "I want
to play”
Most of the Boston sportswriters didn’t like Ted
He called the Boston fans great
There were times when Ted heard boos
After rounding the bases Ted never tipped his cap
Sometimes he would give it a little tap
In the Marines he went
There were bullet holes in his plane
He safety landed it
But it was aflame
He did not have an injury
He walked away
Page | 107
HUMOR
Page | 108
OLD
June 16, 2020
I'm told I am getting old
I get out of bed
Sit down and have to be fed
A napkin on my lap
On my head they put a cap
They know I eat only very soft food
It slides off my chin
Down onto the napkin
I’m told sometimes I’m rude
Well it’s because of my mood
I can walk up and down stairs
I take one step a time
First one foot
Meet it with the other
Until I reach the top
I am going to get fit
I just don't want to sit
After that I am going to join a club
Afterwards I’l need to bathe in a hot water tub
I am having a lot of fun
You see at any age it can be done
Page | 109
GETTING OLD
April 27, 2021
When I look at people I can tell
They think I’m getting old
They see my hair is like snow
Flecks of grey on the sides and in the back
Long time ago my hair was black
I’m told my gait is slow
That I didn’t know
Cannot go up two steps at a time anymore
No longer do I use four wheels
Like a bike it has two wheels
YouTube showed me what to do
Walk with shoulders down and relaxed
Put your head up
Take corners slow
Taking corners sharp, you may fall
Walk with shoulders down and relaxed
Put your head up"
I don’t need a license
Year after year they remain the same
Model and style never change
My skin is wrinkled
I asked my dermatologist why
He said to buy lotion
Apply three times a day for one month
Half of your wrinkles will disappear
The doctor said I should stimulate my brain
Doing so will help blood going thru my veins
I asked do you have suggestions
He had a few
He asked me if I had any questions
I did but I forgot them and his suggestions
Thanking God for his blessings
Page | 110
GETTING OLD 2
June 20, 2019
I had a lot of hair on my head
Some time ago the hairs just fled
My eyes are sharp, keen, and clear
Is that you over their my dear?
Now my eyes are getting dim
I can barely see my chin
There is something at the end of my nose
Oh, those are my toes
My teeth I have a few
I can’t remember, maybe one or two
Did you say something?
I heard not a thing
I had a firm grip
Before bed I have a couple of nips
Now when I get off my chair
No longer do I do it with a flair
I also use a cane
It’s because I have some pain
When you see me say hello,
I may not know you though
Page | 111
MISSING
February 8, 2022
They are missing
I started to look
Found nothing in my books
Dug deep in my chest drawers
Found only two quarters
Cabinet doors I opened
Just glasses, cups and silverware
I looked under all my chairs
It’s not on my desk or on my bed
I’m scratching my head
It’s a terrible situation
Went into the bedroom
Found them under the bed
My hearing aids
Page | 112
MY PAL
July 3, 2022
I have a new companion
We met a couple of years ago
We walk every day
My strides are short
Our daily distances vary
My legs have become stronger
My pal never complains
At the end of the day
We go our separate ways
My walker and I
Page | 113
MY DOCTOR
February 15, 2020
I saw my doctor yesterday
This is what she said
“You’re drinking too much water
So drink this instead
Pour vodka into a glass
I said glass not on the grass
Put your eyeglasses on
You will be able to hear better
Now take a bottle of beer
Not dark, make it light
The beer must also be bright
Then two fingers of wine
The expensive kind
A bit of water you can also do
After drinking you won’t get the flu
Finally an inch of rye in a cup
Mix them all together
That is called a vodkabeerwaterwinerye
Drink. Be careful. Don’t poke your eye
Page | 114
MY ONE-EYED DOG
August 6. 2020
I had a one-eye dog
Maybe a spaniel that flushes out birds
He may be a golden retriever
Or a pointing breed
All three have plenty of speed
I took him hunting to find out
I shot a turkey and said “go”
He just sat and looked at me
With both eyes closed
Portrait of River at Mount Elbert, CO
He opened his good eye and I said “go right”
March, 2017
He went left
by: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
The next day I took him out again
He heard a rustle and ran fast
Out of the bush came birds
Then he is a spaniel
The next day we go hunting again
I shot a game bird
He immediately ran into the bushes
He came back with the bird in his soft mouth
He is a golden retriever
The next day we went hunting
I shot a deer
Dog
He takes off
Portrait
I see him in the distance
June, 2009
by: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
He is standing motionless with his tail straight up
He is a pointer
My one-eyed dog is all three
Page | 115
SLEEPING
December 7, 2021
Sleeping is a chore
When I do I snore
Someone very dear to me said
“Turn on your side”
“Yes dear” I replied
I fell off the bed
The floor hit my head
A recliner I must utilize
It’s the perfect size
I tossed the bed out with the trash
Snoring I no longer do
Now I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Page | 116
LIMERICKS
Page | 117
LIMERICKS 1
June 17, 2020
There was this man from Iran
Who said “Catch me if you can”
The police ran so fast
They went past
The Iranian was wearing a placard
To catch him they ran backwards
He was caught and put in cuffs
He thought it was a bluff
Nope. They were very tough
There was this boy from Italy
His name was Jimmy
Loved climbing a tree
Fell and broke his foot
Now crawls on his hands and knees
I have a dog that is black
Listens and never barks
One day I took him to the pond
Now all he does is quack quack quack
There was a man named Dwight
Who had no lights
Didn’t know what to do
Didn’t have a clue
Well he put his finger in the hole for the fuse
Now his skin is chartreuse
on that fence?
There was a lass named Case
One day she put her feet in cement
Thinking she would be content
She was embarrassed
That cement becomes concrete
There she stood with concrete feet
Page | 118
LIMERICKS 2
June 17, 2020
I know this girl Jean
Who loves to eat ice cream
There are many flavors she likes
Sometimes she will have one on her bike
Once she ate too much
My stomach now hurts when touched
There was a man name Bing
Who loved to sing
He started when he was twenty
Ballads he sang aplenty
One day he stopped
There on the stage he flopped
I heard Bill copied a bill
He said it gave him a thrill
He knew it was a crime
But he didn’t mind
Now he is serving time
There was a girl from Peru
Tobacco, she loved to chew
Her teeth turned brown
She had a big frown
So to her I said adieu
Bee wanted to marry Cee
But Dee got in the way
So Bee asked Eee to speak for him
Eee told Bee there is a fee
Bee asked can’t you do it for free?
Eee said ok, only for thee
Page | 119
LIMERICKS 3
December 1, 2020
Humpty Dumpty sat on a fence
He didn’t have much sense
The fence was strung with wire
It was one foot high, no higher
He squirmed and squirmed
Who would sit on that fence?
Only a person that is dense
There was a marathon runner named Dee Dee
Who was very speedy
Boy, could he run
He always passed everyone
Alone he would break the tape
On his shoulders placed a cape
Only he won first place awards
Because backwards was a breeze
At the finish line he always sneezed
There was a baker name Doc
Who baked a loaf shaped like a clock
He ate a bite
He no longer can talk
He can only say “Tic Tock, Tic Tock”
The electrician’s name Tom
Removed the fuse and stuck in his index finger
It didn’t turn on the lights
He wasn’t very bright
Now his eyes blink blink blink
There was a thief name Jim
Cam from Lynn
Known as the city of sin
He loved to sing
One night was caught thieving
Jim is now singing in Sing Sing
Page | 120
LIMERICKS 4
December 18, 2020
I knew this guy fish who liked this girl fish
He said “I like your gills. You are pretty”
She was from a pond in the city
She threw out a line with a hook
He caught it from this girl who can cook
That was the end of this guy fish
There was a quarterback named Jack
Who once was hit by a lineman named Mack
He tried to duck
He ran out of luck
It felt like being hit by a truck
There was a baseball pitcher named Matt
Loved throwing at heads of batters
Hitting them didn’t matter
He threw one too many
He’s in jail serving twenty
There was a clown named Brown
Gravity couldn’t hold him down
He was so light
He flew away like a kite
Now he’s gone out of sight
There was a girl named Ruth
Now Ruth loved to drive
In Florida she once arrived
She thought she found the Fountain of Youth
It was instead the Fountain of Truth
Lying she can no longer do
Page | 121
LIMERICKS 5
January 25, 2021
A little boy was flying a kite
Held onto the string with all his might
The wind blew very strong
The boy went up
Flew out of sight
Johnnie bought a bottle
Perfume was inside
He gave to Julie with pride
She said I’d rather have a Lamborghini
He said goodbye
There was a printer from Lynn
Made copies of many fins
Got caught spreading them around
His alibi was they were on the ground
He wouldn’t sing. Ended up in Sing-Sing
There was Jock from Knock
Who once ate his clock
When he woke up from his dream
He started to beam
It was only his sock
Page | 122
LIMERICKS 6
September 5, 2021
A limerick I wish I could write
It gives me a terrible fright
I picked up my pen
To try writing again
I did it while standing on my head
Sam is a man from Stoneham
Fell into a jar of jam
He placed it on crackers of graham
Ate so much couldn’t get out
R.I.P. Sam
Alexa and Siri started dating a few years ago
Recently they had a row
They both say “I am used the most”
Alexa gave Siri back the ring
It happened this spring
Page | 123
LIMERICKS 7
July 20, 2021
There was this fellow Wayne
He loved drinking champagne
The bubbly went to his head
Around and around he sped
Drank so much he felt no pain
There was a girl from Topeka
Whose name was Frederica
She said I found my place
In the human race
She screamed Eureka
There was this chap from Quebec
Who fell in snow up to his neck
He wriggled and wriggled
Squiggled and squiggled
All that was left was a speck
Dwight from the town of Knight
On a windy day flew a kite
Off it went into the blue sky
Went way up high
Dwight flew out of sight
Page | 124
LIMERICKS 8
November 19, 2021
There was a reporter named Cash
Sent to cover a crash
He arrived at the spot
But it was for naught
A pumpkin had been smashed
A girl name Mona Lisa
Traveled to the city of Pisa
Went into a store and got framed
Now hanging in the Louvre
She is acclaimed
Page | 125
LIMERICKS 9
May 25, 2022
There was a girl named Bright
For the race she had a plan
She was very fast
However she ended last
Backwards was the way she ran
I bought a countertop
Took it into my shop
I cut it to make it fit
When finished I thought that’s it
Too small,
Now I have a counter with no top
There was a guy from Dakar
Who enjoyed smoking cigars
While smoking one day
On a pile of hay
He no longer looks at stars
Page | 126
LOVE
Detail: Greetings from Columbia Point, John McCormack Middle School, Dorchester, MA - 2017
By: Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 127
THE MIND READER
November 25, 2020
Be comfortable. sit here
Think of the most important thing to you
Mmm, It happened one night
Am I right?
Yes, but what else>
You met a beautiful girl
She is like a gorgeous pearl
Yes. But what else?
Whenever you see her, you just melt
You said can you be my date
I did say that
She told you “I can’t stay up late”
What else did I say?
You said I want to date you as long as I can
You had a plan
Yes.
What else?
Let me think
Mmm, I see your date in a beautiful gown
On her head is a crown
She is going to a wedding
So far you are right
What is the date?
It’s September 4, 1949
Yes, everything is correct
You are a great mind reader
Page | 128
JACKIE
July 19, 2020
It’s been 94 years ago God placed you on this earth
July 17, 1926, was the date of your birth
We promised forever to love and care for each other
Years later you became a mother
All the days of your life
You promised to be my wife
As your husband I promised to love you
I promised every day to be true
I wrote a love letter to you today
Remember our dates swimming at Winthrop and Revere
We did that for several years
Aunt Rose and uncle Jimmy invited us to Maine
We would spend a week of my vacation with them
We drove up with the boys
They had a lot of fun and joy
Swimming and playing
We would see Peter, Claire and Pauline
We would go to mass at Franciscan Monastery
Recall the photo I took of ma Emma and aunt Rose smoking Aunt Rose did not smoke
She did it as a joke
When I open your closet door
I see a beautiful flowery blouse
Light purple and blue
Each morning I whiff your perfume
That I keep in our room
I bought you flowers to celebrate your day
I put them in a vase for display
The red carnations are for your rosy lips
The brown ones for your hair and eyes
The light rose ones for your finger nails
The white snow balls ones for your fair skin
The skin I loved to touch
The gold rings for your ears
And finally the bird of paradise with orange, purple, yellow, blue petals Thank God for blessing me with you
Page | 129
HER HANDS
October 11, 2020
I held her hand and put on the wedding ring
They held our babies
She was there for their every need
They chose their clothes and got them dressed
She always had them looking their very best
When they took their first steps, she held their hands Steadied them before they could fall
When they fell, she picked them up
She helped them drink from a cup
She held them on her lap
Her hands fed and gave them milk
At about ten months. Michael had a high fever
This is what she was told
Put the baby in water that is cold
Gently. she did and the fever broke
When ill her hands held them
She calmed them
Both hands did so much for us
Cooking and sewing
Hemming and stitching
Crocheting and knitting
They played our piano
She loved playing Words With Friends
With Claudia, Emma and Jack
Hands that ironed our clothes
Her hands were always smooth
So wonderful to hold and touch
The hands that hugged me tight
The hands that held her grandchildren Laura, MJ and Jack That gave her joy and happiness
Page | 130
THE ARTIST
January 31, 2020
If I could paint
I would pick up a brush
I would look at the sky, the pond and the land
Nature’s colors I wil use
One would be chartreuse
Another is like the blue-green of the pond The
pond that is almost always calmed
Then there is the brown color of your hair You
walked across the floor with a flair
Your favorite color is blue
The red lipstick that you used
You are the one I pursued
The color of your fingernail polish
Rouge that you used on your cheeks
I am finished and here it is
My Mona Lisa of you
Page | 131
SEARCHING
November 2, 2021
In my dreams I look for you
Wearing your dress, colored blue
I see a light
It follows me and becomes bright
I see through it
The other side is pure white
Here there is no night
I sense someone is there
Can it be?
Back to dreaming again it happens
I see someone I knew
I wake up and look for you
There is a shadow I pursue
I search and search
I vaguely see you
You approach me and I reach out
I touch your hand
Page | 132
ME WITHOUT YOU
February 28, 2020
Me without you
Is like airplane without wings
A kingdom without a king
Me without you
Is like a rainbow without a bow
Me without you
Is like birds that don’t sing
The songs they tweet beginning in the spring
Me without you
Is like a dance floor with no floor
Music with no score
Me without you
Is like a library without books
A restaurant without cooks
Me without you
Is like a church with no one to preach
A school with no one to teach
Me without you
Is a ship without a steering wheel
Me without you
Is like a mountain top with no peak
Me without you
Is like a skyscraper without a sky to scrape
Me without you
Is like an ocean with no water
Me without you
Is like the Staples Center. Silent without Kobe Bryant No more fans yelling “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe”
Jackie you with me
Made me the man I am today
Page | 133
DREAM
December 8, 2021
When I dream of you my heart never rests
It pounds within my chest
I see you dazzling as before
As we walk along the seashore
Up high in the sky
There’s you and I
People look and stare
And think “is that really them up there?”
Two birds of peace join us
I open my sleepy eyes
See I’m in my bed
Slowly I rise
My dream has been shattered
No longer can you be heard
When will you again appear
Never to disappear?
Page | 134
JACKIE MY DEAREST
April 1, 2020
The world stood still
Now that you are gone
You are still in my heart
You and I will never really part
In my bedroom I see your frame photo with the quirky smile face And it makes me smile
When I wake up there you are making me smile again
When I look at you
I don’t get blue
Your smile keeps me going through the day
Dance with me once more
I will hold you tight as we move along the floor
Everyone will watch as we glide
And I again will have so much pride
As we move from side to side
Our favorite song will play
Throughout the day
I miss you more and more each day
But I knew you could not stay
Page | 135
JACKIE MY LOVE
July 14, 2017
I think of you especially at night
More so when the moon is bright
Like that June night of ’46 under the moon’s light
Now alone I must dance
Thinking of the many times we romanced
I miss your beautiful singing voice
When you sang, I always rejoiced
The many days before you had to go
I stood at your bedside all night and day
I prayed the Lord would leave you with me
Page | 136
YOU
October 18, 2019
You are poetry in motion
For you I have strong emotions
You are the world’s eighth wonder
The other seven, they belong under
You are in me
You and I became we
The flow of your words fall gently upon my ears
You are the breath within me
Oh how so much I love thee
You walk with grace
As I view your beautiful face
You are the sparkle in my eye
For you I would die
You are the fire in my heart
Page | 137
YOUR PRESENCE
November 29, 2019
When I walk out my front door
To whatever places I go
I feel your presence around me
I am so filled with joy
Your presence makes me strong
This is where I belong
Take my hand and let us walk
Along the way we can talk
There is so much to say
That happens every day
I meet Bill every Sunday at St. Joe’s
We sit in the same row
After mass one Sunday
We went to visit Carol
We didn’t have far to travel
When we got there
I pulled out a Jewish prayer
We both said it and ended with Amen
We placed a small stone on the monument and left
Page | 138
YOUR NAME
November 29, 2021
The silent sea whispers your name
“Jackieeeeee, Jackieeeeee, Jackieeeeee”
Birds sing your name on rainless days
Their tweets are praises
The billowing clouds moved by a soft breeze
Swirling your name
DeDonato, Jackie Laura
It causes an aurora
Written across your favorite color sky
Your name so appealing to the eye
The moon is slowly pulled from east to west
My dear you’ve been blessed
Falling autumn leaves on the ground
Mountain peaks stretch
Your name to etch
Page | 139
I WANT TO
April 6, 2018
I want to have you touch my brow
I want to have you do it now
I want to know if I am hot
I want to know if it is something that I caught
I want to touch your lips
I want to see you wiggle your hips
I want to see you smile
I want to hold your hands
They are so grand
I want to touch your fingertips
I want to have you put your arm around my shoulder
I want to have you put your feet on top of mine
I want to
Page | 140
TOMORROWS
October 4, 2018
When tomorrow started without you
I didn’t know what to do
When you left me
You took my tomorrows
I was left with sorrow
The sun doesn’t rise
There is no light
It has disappeared
Only darkness reigns
I lit a candle and see your photograph
I see your shining hair
And your smiling face
Your beautiful eyes looking at me
When I proposed and you said “Yes”
I was filled with happiness
Page | 141
TOMORROWS (2)
October 30, 2020
My tomorrows ended with you
I don’t know what to do
The sky is no longer blue
On my iMac photo page I play your albums
Occasionally I will hum
As I play Perry Como songs
They remind me of you
“I Think of You”
Oh so true
“And I Love You So”
Three years I was your beau
“I Want To Give”
In my dreams I relive
“Anema E Core”=” “Heart and Soul”
My love for you is beyond control
“Jackie Is Her Name”
My wife, you became
“My Favorite Valentine”
You will always be mine
“No Other Love”
You became my beloved
“Portrait Of My Love”
This love comes from above
“You’l Never Walk Alone”
You belong on a queen’s throne
Page | 142
IF TOMORROW NEVER
COMES
November 10, 2022
If tomorrow never comes
My life on earth is complete
There are the many blessings
You bestowed on me
I lived my dream of having you
When you said “I do”
You let me into your heart
Never to be apart
Birthday cards we exchanged
They said “I love you more today
Than I did yesterday
And tomorrow
I will love you more than I do today”
Oh the sound of your voice
Talking, humming
And you singing mezzo soprano
Page | 143
Wedding Anniversary Trompe L'oeil Acrylic
February, 2008
Laura DeDonato Wiatt
Page | 144
THE ARTIST
Many of the illustrations
contained within this book are
by Laura DeDonato Wiatt
(granddaughter).
She is pictured here with Jon
and Brady.
She earned her BFA from
Massachusetts College of Art
and Design.
Her colorful and romantic
work is mainly done in acrylic
and mixed media with a focus
on contrast and light. Her
murals can be found all over
the Boston, MA region.
Laura is the Artist and Program Manager for the Brockton, MA Mural Arts after school and summer programs. She has
designed and painted numerous indoor and outdoor murals for public spaces and businesses throughout the Boston area.
To commission a mural, illustration, painting or portrait, please send an email to Laura@lauradedonato.com
Prints, giclees and licensing may also be purchased at https://fineartamerica.com/ profiles/laura-dedonato
where you will find works of acrylic, pastel, colored/pencil and mixed media.
Follow Laura on
Facebook: facebook.com/LauraDeDonatoStudio or
Instagram: @lndstudio
I was born in 1924 in a family of
seven children. Along with my two
brothers, I served in the Air Force
during WWII. Otto ("Doc") enlisted in
the Army and George in the Navy.
Tragically, Doc lost his life to the
enemy during a forced march after
the Normandy invasion.
George and I left the service after
our tours were up.
Mary took her vows as a nun from the
Daughters of Charity and retired after a
lifetime of service.
Rose, Ann and Emma married and
raised families which now include
grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
I met Jackie after my time in the service. We are both from East Boston where we fell in love and married in 1950. We were together for 67 years until 2017 when Jackie passed away at age 90.
I graduated from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance.
It was a two year day session. Then I went to Northeastern University night school and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration
I worked in the accounting and information systems field until my retirement. Jackie stayed at home to raise our sons (Arthur, Mark, Michael and Richard), three of whom married and welcomed grandchildren and a great grandchild to our family.
I started writing poems after my retirement. This is my
second volume, and I truly enjoy the smiles and memories they bring to mind.
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