ribbons are memories

The fresh round-faced babe wears a teeny ribbon in her hair Did they attach it with a bit of glue or what? It is the only indicator she might be a she. Little girls in Sunday school have ribbons on their socks, Their collars, the edges of lace on their dresses Their satin sheen shines up nicely, sprucing them a bit Boys are not eager to get ribbons unless they are Iowa 4-H boys Entering their livestock – lambs, calf, sow or steer in a fair The white green and yellow ribbons do not mean much But the blue and purple ribbons give them much to smile about Girls are growing up, entering pageants, wearing a fat vertical ribbon Saying Miss New Jersey, Corn Queen, or Pancake Princess Brides dangle ribbons under their bridal bouquet Ribbons are memories, tucked away in albums, Brought out to admire when nostalgia prances about.