Freda Fly, the fashionable frisky frog
Designed clothing all day, sitting against a log
a chic sophisticated designer in the bog
delighting the waiting, watching pollywog
One of her designs was picked up by a magazine
It had beautiful lines, all symmetrical and clean
She was invited to the palace to visit the queen,
Wore her own design, made out of another magazine.
Freda the ballerina’s tutu was a little too tight
She had asked her mama to let it out last night
This morning, she had eaten two flies too many
Mama had let it out an inch, but was that plenty?
She squeezed into the tutu feeling like a mouse under a crack
Her ballet slippers were lost, and her high tops were black
You can borrow my pink high tops said her best pal Pat
Freda’s day got better after that.
Tails of pony, this strawberry-freckled Freda.
Strong-armed tomboy happily playing baseball.
Bathing beauty, Saturday night, when scrubbed clean.
Bitterly pitched out.
Cousin big Freda always had intimidated Sue who was a year younger.
Freda was a big part of the reason Sue moved four states away.
Freda thought they had a rivalry; but Sue never did.
Her braggadocio, bullying behaviors were tolerated by the aunts.
Grandma Stella said to “stop tattling” when Sue got knocked down.
Freda was built like a concrete mixer and twice as tough.
Sue stayed away from the family for ten years.
She was a lawyer now, happily married, with two daughters.
Grandma Stella passed, and Sue flew home for the funeral.
She was surprised to not see Freda or any photos of Freda.
Freda had been grandma’s favorite.
Sue finally asked one of her aunts where Freda was.
"Freda got put in prison for killing a guy.
Grandma Stella hid all of her photos, it was like she was never there.”
Freda and Freddie Foster were the first
To follow their festive mood at the Jukebox Jam
Owned by Sam
Willy Wendy James Jonesy and Jesse arrived
With Jolie Julia and Justine
Hey man Jesse said to Jonesy look alive
Socialize pump up the jukebox
Let's get this project started
I been waiting all week for this Jesse
Yelled to his friends. The jukebox blared
With the latest sizzling summer songs
And Sam was on the premises. Sam did the
Jig with Wendy while Willy watched and
Soon joined in
Jonesy and Julia James and Jolie all did a
New joyful jig so long to the jigful jam
Justine and James went up stairs and
Jammed up there. Man this jive is live!
Freddie hit the jukebox for another powerful
Dance tune. Ha! Ha! soon everybody did
The jig. We couldn't resist Sam said.
Yeah! Yeah! Jam on it!
James yelled.
Sam said he'd be closing after this last play
Man already? said Jonesy. Julia agreed, "What
A phenomenal night."
By Val Brooklyn Rogers Black Panther
She has the ‘screws’.
Her hips are 'creaky'
her leg is 'playing up.’
I yell into her good ear.
"Nice Morning Freda!"
"Gout." She says,
still following a conversation in her head.
"I don't even drink!"
I know this is a stretch
for I am her secret `pusher'.
"I'm going out later, can I get you anything?"
She looks directly at me at last.
She has been studying the obituaries
in the local paper.
"Isn't it terrible?"
"Yes Freda it is."
We never discuss specifics,
agreeing tacitly
that most things are `terrible.’
"Just the usual"
I make a note to buy,
sliced white bread.
Laughing Cow cheese spreads (original flavor).
Bologna sausage (which she calls Baloney).
"Little Debbie" Frosted Fudge cakes
and a bottle of sweet sherry.
Her list of wants is not far from mine,
except for the sherry,
I like to think my list is a little more refined,
and I have long since broke-up
with 'Little Debbie'.
Finn and Freda’s Christmas wishes were known only to each other.
Trusted protective older sister, and Finn, her impish little brother.
Helpful hints were solicited by parents for many determined days.
Important questions asked in a variety of creatively subtle ways.
Neither child would violate the trusted confidentiality of the other.
Treasured trait that is strong fifty years later in this sister and her brother.
Happy birthday, Sister Freda,
Life goes on in spite of trouble;
Success truly brings euphoria,
By realizing dreams and goal.
Topic: Birthday of Freda Bas-Ilan (March 08)
F-erocious
R-aunch
E-mploys
D-isease
A-s
R-esidents
A-pply
N-ecessary
A-lcohol
Topic: Birthday of Freda Raña (April 14)
Form: Vertical Monocrostic
She has the 'screws'.
Her hips gripe,
her leg is 'playing up.’
I yell into her good ear.
"Nice Morning Freda!"
"Gout." She says,
still following a conversation in her head.
"I don't even drink!"
I know this is a stretch
for I am her secret `pusher'.
"I'm going out later, can I get you anything?"
She looks directly at me at last.
She has been studying the obituaries
in the local paper.
"Isn't it terrible?"
"Yes Freda it is."
We never discuss specifics,
agreeing tacitly
that most things are `terrible.’
"Just the usual"
I make a note to buy,
sliced white bread.
Laughing Cow cheese spreads (original flavor).
Bologna sausage (which she calls Baloney).
"Little Debbie" Frosted Fudge cakes
and a bottle of sweet sherry.
Her list of wants is not far from mine,
except for the sherry,
and I have recently broken up
with 'Little Debbie'.
At the supermarket, screws and gripes
jab my bones.
I limp down aisle three
ignoring a picture
of a smirking 'Little Debbie.’
F-rom
R-adiant
E-arly
D-awn's
A-ppearance
T-o
O-pen
R-ay's
I-lluminate
O-bviousness
Topic: Birthday of Freda Torio (November 17)
Form: Vertical Monocrostic
FANCIFUL FREDA
Fanciful Freda
What you got for us
Ain't got a car
So you ride a bus
Fanciful Freda
What's its like to be you
Walking down the street
Wit no shoes on
8/16/18
written by James Edward Lee Sr.©2018
First Aider
And then Freda.
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