An Extraordinary Joe

by

Mary A. Green

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L ately I've been fantasizing about Joe
Joe from Winnipeg a man
I'd like to meet not for romance
For I am in my golden years
                            already slow
And Joe yet young enough to dance
                            the polka or a jig
And happily married and the rest
Which doesn't matter in this case
Because our Joe's been blest
With a wisdom I admire
And this the object of my dream

I'd like to meet our Joe
                            just once
For conversation over tea
Perhaps he'd prefer a beer or coffee
While I might have a herbal brew
Or an Earl Grey

And we'd talk about the things of life
That matter most
About the miracle of rainbows
Children and of toast
I'd tell him how
Often when I say, "Lord,
Give us this day our daily bread,"
I kiss the slice I hold because
It was given before I even said the word
And this a miracle because many know days
                            when they have none
Here I think that Joe would nod and smile
A smile that said, "I know and understand
And will make my understanding known
In my own time."

I would nod too and say, "Joe,
                            that's okay
Maybe we should talk about some other things
Maybe pig farming or politicians"
And laugh
I'd hope that he like me
Had thought that pigs deserved
A better deal
Because we'd never met a pig
That wasn't on the level
But one just never knows
                            with politicians

And I would hope that when we said
                            "MEEGWITCH"
It might be after several cups of tea
As our conversation flowed toward
                            a higher plain
Beyond the trite or trivial or mundane
In this my fantasy
About Joe from Winnipeg
And me

End

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