Romantic

Could one learn what romantic fever is? All I knew was my miserly uncle With whom we were living, Fell suddenly in love. Still he held on tight riches. Ah, but Juliana, oh wonderful Juliana, Never missing a hiccup of grace, Somehow managed to purloin from him Lovely presents that delighted Her scheming and wanton heart. But then who cared or bothered? We were all madly in love with her, Those turbid humid days. Juliana took us all to picnics Much to our youth's delight. Yes we all were in favor of our uncle, That he begot a wife, Juliana mesmerized us. For did she not make us happy, With all those gifts she gave us Behind my uncle's back? To her we were just baby dragonflies Captured in fancy colored bottles, To be indulged in and left astray, Maybe picked up some later time As if a schedule had evolved In her gracious mind. I often wondered what was best If not to tell my uncle all she spent. I had a sneaking feeling His heart was leaking fine. Would he have a heart attack And have Juliana all for us? Who could tell? He might turn us out into the barn. His heart strong and full of fortitude, Would not I be killing the golden goose? So I held my tongue. And we all suffered from hay fever As we trudged in secluded fields Frolicking in the new cut hay Or tumbling on the grass in meadows gay, That pleasant spring when My miserly uncle married away. 10 October 2021 Placed 1 ''R'' Contest, New or Old Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Constance La France