A Special Treat

When I was old enough, my mom Would send me to the store, Specifically, the bakery, For treats I did adore. But first, I had to ask them for A rye bread they would slice, With seeds, of course, or else A pumpernickel would suffice. And then some Linzer tarts for her, Those filled with berry jam; Then finally, the cakes That made me happy as a clam. Their name was Charlotte Russe, A sponge cake in a cardboard sleeve, With whipped cream and a cherry – Just too perfect to believe! They put them in a cardboard box For me and my two bros And tied it with a red-striped string, As all of Brooklyn knows. Today I wouldn’t like them – Linzer tarts have more appeal – But with a Charlotte Russe, back then, How happy I would feel!