My father was a poet too.  He wrote this for my sister Kerry for her 16th birthday.

There are a couple of references here that might be confusing … Longwood was the name of our high school.  (Students were known as “Lions” and the cheerleaders were “Lionettes.”)  And my sister wore an eyepatch when she was very young to correct a vision issue.

“Kerry,” by Robert James Nolan

I’ve a daughter (name of Kerry), she is my second born,

She’s as pretty as a sunset and as graceful as a fawn.

And, though not really a healthy child (we once thought she was dying),

She beat all the odds against her, ’cause she tried (and kept on trying!)

When just a babe, she had to wear a patch upon her eye,

And she wore it, though she couldn’t understand the reason why.

She wore it when she played jump rope, and jacks and Barbie dolls,

She wore it playing hide-and-seek in Forest Park’s green knolls.

She wore it when she went to school (I know THAT was hard to do.)

She wore it and she didn’t complain (hey girl, we’re proud of you)!

Now she’s all grown up and popular (her friends are always callin’).

And at school it is for Kerry Jeanne the boys are always fallin’.

She is a famous Longwood Lionette and a rising Longwood Track star,

And everyone who knows her says, “That girl is sure to go far.”

And Kerry’s quite the baker (baking is a family trait).

She makes chocolate chocolate-chip cookies that really are first-rate.

She can swim like a fish and dive like a seal with hardly a splash or bubble.

And does gymnastics routines with an elegant ease (though the times tables still give her trouble).

There’s a whole lot more that I could say about our Kerry Jeanne,

And the tings that she’s accomplished (though she’s still not quite sixteen).

But instead I’ll ask the question. “Kerry, wouldn’t it be fun …

“To memorize the times tables before you’re 21?”