IMOGENE AND FRANK SLEZAK
Imogene’s nature is to express her life and philosophy in rhyme. The first poem was written at the time of their 50th anniversary:
1944 — 50 — 1944
On March 28, 1944, Frank and Imogene said, "I do"
And promised to love, honor and always be true.
For a year and a half keeping the promise wasn’t so bad
’Cause Uncle Sam needed this Bohemian lad.
The day the war ended he arrived in Creston —
Could we "Live on love" was really no question.
As everything closed we had nothing to eat,
Then we found Mom’s home cookin’ couldn’t be beat.
We worked around Kellerton for the first nine years,
After eleven years more, east of Grand River, we shifted gears,
Where we gave up farming for the city life,
Fighting the river was too much toil and strife.
After two years in Creston we moved to Carlisle.
We decided, after twenty-six years there - which was quite awhile -
We’d move to Osceola to make our home.
Now, we’re at 730 S. Jackson, if you wish to roam.
Come, take a look, sit a spell, and visit, too.
We’re not too old to enjoy having you.
We’re really glad you came today!
Just wish it could be for a longer stay!
AN ANTIQUATED SPOUSE
My spouse has lived with me so long
He knows all the things that I do wrong.
But he overlooks them with a grin
’Cause he knows we’re both too old to sin.
He lives with me from day to day.
After all these years, he may as well stay!
He’s part of the fixtures in our house
And I adore my antiquated spouse!
WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY
When we were young and full of vim The school day didn’t begin until nine,
School was taught with a hickory limb. Whether the weather was bad or the weather
We learned to abide by the "Golden Rule," was fine.
And not one "cat" was called “cool". Just standard time was what we had
And to go home at four wasn’t all that bad.
We walked to and from school both morning
and night, You might say that now we have it made
And no one seemed to get "up tight." But it takes all our time with the help of an
Whether the mud was thick or the snow was aide.
deep Some things are better and some are worse
We went every day without a peep! We still teach kids the three R's, of course.
On Monday morning we froze our feet School, you know, is different today.
’Cause it took till noon to feel the heat. Hickory limbs have "gone by the way,"
No automatic furnace kept the room warm. The Golden Rule is no longer used
Just a pot-bellied stove stoked with wood from Civil Rights is now abused.
a farm.
..................................................................................................We’re chauffeured in a car or ride a bus
We brought our lunch in a paper sack. Walking to school is not for us.
It was always cold and merely a snack. If the snow is too deep, we have no school
But we had an hour noon to get it down ’Cause the roads are closed and the bus can’t
With much socializing for so far out of town, go through.
We had no water fountain from which to drink, We have furnace heat run by natural gas -
The pan we washed our hands in was not really Merely click the switch as we pass.
a sink. But the energy crisis keeps us cool
We carried water in a pail from the well And we need a sweater as a general rule.
outside,
When the snow was deep and the path wasn’t Lunch every noon is now quite hot.
wide. For a small fee, we can eat a lot.
But we’re in too big a hurry to eat much.
The games we played were Blackman, A half hour noon doesn’t allow for such!
Redman and Steal the Stick,
But Anti-Over the Coal Shed was quite a trick. We go to the faucet to get a drink
It made no difference if you were big or small, But when the water pipe breaks, we go "off the
With a little help, there was a place for all. brink."
There’s no well to use, so we call a plumber.
The toilet we had was way out back. If we’re lucky, he’ll come sometime before
There was no heat, but many a crack. summer.
The paper came from a large book.
So it really wasn’t a cozy nook! We have special classes for things like gym.
To be real good takes vigor and vim.
We had no janitor to sweep the floor. Special teachers are hired for Music and Art
The teachers did that — and much more! No extra work required on Q.; part.
Fifty dollars a month was all their pay,
With no fringe benefits, and that "ain’t hay." So, really, now, we have nothing to do,
But button buttons and tie a shoe.
There’s no older kids to look out for the young. We still wash the board and clean the sink.
It’s up to us to see that their coats are hung. Still very few teachers ever wear mink.
We make out reports, ill out the forms,
We no longer go to that house out back, Put in over-time hours, and weather the storm.
Nor worry about cold coming through a crack.
The paper we use we mustn’t squeeze, Though you’ve all heard of the "good old days"
But it’s mighty thin so be careful, please! We’re always looking for better ways.
Everyone knows just how it ought to be
But on what is best, we don’t all agree.
IOWA ISN’T ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS
Some people won’t live in Iowa, they say
’Cause the winters are too cold for them to play.
Well —
Didja’ ever go for a "belly—whopper" on a sled?
Or make a snowman with a great big head?
Didja’ ever make an angel in the snow?
And watch the maker’s cheeks aglow?
Didja’ ever go skating on a farmer’s pond?
Or see Jack Frost paint with his magic wand?
Didja’ ever make and eat snow ice cream?
Or have a taffy pull with two as a team?
Didja’ ever play "Fox and Geese“ in a ring?
Or see the sights Hoar Frosts bring?
Didja’ ever take a hike in the woods to see
The tracks made by all the animals - for free? `
Didja’ ever just watch the snow fall on a winter day?
Then see the bushes all kneel to pray?
If you haven’t done or seen these things
You’ve missed what God, to Iowa, brings.
WOULDN’T IT BE NICE - ???
WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT - ???
If we could make money as fast as we can spend it —
If we could cook food as fast as we can eat it -
If we could lose weight as fast as we can gain pounds —
If we could clean our house as fast as we get it messy -
If we could write books as fast as we can read them —
If we could wash our cars as easy as we can get them dirty —
lf we could make friends as quickly as we can make enemies —
If we could grow a garden as fast as the grasshoppers can devour it —
If the years from one to sixteen would pass as quickly as those from fifty to
seventy -
If our aches and pains would disappear as fast as they come —
If we could look as good when we’re sixty as we did when we were sixteen —
If the snow in our drives would melt as easily as it falls —
It Christmas would last as long as it takes to get ready for it -
If we could accumulate valuables as rapidly as we can trash -·
If just one of those sweepstakes-envelopes was a winner without a gimmick —
If the poetry I write would sell as fast as I write it —
If all these things were as suggested — God would throw up His hands and shout,
"Deliver you from evil"!
A TUNE-UP JOB
Some people resemble an old car
They’ve traveled many miles, both near and far.
Now, they don’t exactly fall apart
But when morning comes, their motor won’t start.
So they go to the doctor for a complete overhaul
This isn’t an emergency, just a motor stall!
Their thermostat is stuck and the water line is plugged.
The joints need grease and the nerves are drugged.
He examines them carefully and locates their ills,
Fills out a prescription and sends out his bills.
So they take the medicine and go on their way
Hoping to last till they’re old and gray!
PERILS OF GROWING OLD
When you get old and your body’s in pain,
Your sex appeal has gone "down the drain,"
You blink and blink so you can see,
Hurry to the pot when you have to wee-wee,
The sounds around are not quite so clear —
If folks’d speak louder, you know you could hear!
You get a toothache and there’s a doubt
Whether to have them fixed or have them pulled out.
Your joints don’t work like you think they should.
You’d have them replaced if you thought you could.
You often have trouble, now, with what you eat
And you sometimes confuse the people you meet.
You’d go to the doctor if you knew where to go.
There’s one for everything from your head to your toe.
You go to a certain one who checks your eyes —
He doesn’t do bones or thighs!
Another one you must see for your ears,
When he tells you the cost, your hearing clears!
Of course, the dentist you see for your teeth,
To get a plate above and one beneath. `
There’s a different one for kidney, too,
So your water pipes work for a day or two.
You see someone else for joints and stuff
Then just when you think you’ve had enough —
Your feet act up so you End one for feet and toes
And still another one to doctor your nose.
There’s one who does only hearts, you know
And one for each of the other organs you growl
By the time you have made all these rounds
You’re sure to have over-stepped Medicare bounds.
Plus all the prescriptions you’ve had to buy —
Is it any wonder you have tears in your eye?
Now just what is an old codger to do?
You can’t trade yourself for one that is new. ,
So you wait each month for your check to arrive,
And hope it will be enough so you can survive!
Years ago, how could just one doctor tell?
It’s a wonder anyone ever got well!
LET THERE BE HOPE
When life’s problems are smothering you,
You’ve asked for help which hasn’t come through,
Perhaps "tomorrow" will be the day
A light will dawn to guide your way.
So step by step you must carry on
And pray to God just one will be gone.
Then just when you think you’re beginning to grow
Something will happen to "lay you low."
The road is hard but you do your best
To ease the hurt lying in your chest.
The days, weeks and months hurry by
And some day, surely, you’ll cease to cry!
It may help, when you’re feeling blue,
To know others are sure to need God’s help, too. ·
So it may take some time to take care of all
Who struggle and struggle and continue to call.
You can’t lose hope no matter how great the pain
Or the faith you’ve had was all in vain!
A TALK WITH GOD
Listen, God, we need to talk.
Will you get your board and piece of chalk?
My list of problems is quite long. .
Of the many things that I’ve done wrong
I need your advice to keep me straight
’Cause what I’m doing is not “first rate."
If you’ll give me a boost and a helping hand
And not ask for more than I can stand,
I’ll do my best to improve each day
And help some friend along the way.
MY DREAMS FOR 1996
A These are my dreams for nineteen ninety six
To enjoy life to the fullest with all its tricks.
To do something kind each day of the year,
To have enough compassion to shed a tear,
To accept criticism when I make mistakes
And the knowledge to know the real from the "fakes."
To be able to show the love that I feel
And to hold on to the things I think are ideal.
To plan for the future but remember the past.
To make new and old friendships ones that will last.
To grow even closer to family and friends
And for hurts I have caused, to try to make amends.
lf nineteen ninety-six brings all of these
I’m sure three hundred sixty five days will be a tight squeeze.
REMEMBER ME
When I am gone and laid to rest,
Just remember "I did my best"
Forgive the things l did that were bad,
’Cause these will only make us sad.
No use in both of us remembering these,
So, I’ll do it for both, if you please.
My only wish as l passed each day
Is that I’ve been of help in some small way.
Think of me now and then, it you will.
My place on earth will be easy to fill,
But I’d like to think as I passed through
The love from my friends grew and grew.
So, when you look back, think of all the fun.
I’ve enjoyed life and now this part’s done.
I hope the relationship I’ve had with your lives
Was inspirational and this part survives.
Now, take one last look, then turn away.
No need for sorrow ’cause we’ve had many a happy day.
Look for tomorrow and all you can do,
To take over my task, which is now up to you!
Return to main page for Recipes for Living 1996 by Fern Underwood
Last Revised April 29, 2012