Mom's 60th Birthday Poem

Circa 1995
On a trip to the beach,
Her girls were adolescent
And hard to reach.

In Carolina, they met
The tail end of a hurricane.
The beach was unreachable
in the wind and the rain.

As they toured the town,

Mom pointed out signs,

But the girls refused

To study the lines.

“The courthouse was built

In 1904.”

“Who cares,” said one.

Said two, “What a bore.”

They toured the memorial
Of Orville and brother
(Two siblings who also
flew birds for their mother.)

Mom donned a poncho
And handed out more
Not knowing this action
Could start up a war.

 “We’re not wearing those,”

Came the girls’ cries,

As they stomped their feet

And rolled their eyes.

But the girls almost giggled

As they had to block
The wind from blowing them
right off Kitty Hawk.

The sun came out

And the girls wouldn’t crack

They wouldn’t be nice;

Or even smile back.

At Jockey’s Ridge

They climbed up the dune

And still the girls

Wouldn’t change their tune

At the very top,

Their mom turned around.

“You can stay if you want to-

But I’m running down.”

The girls were embarrassed

But still turned to see

As she tore down the hill

With a jubilant “EEEEEEE!”

The girls’ mouths dropped,

And they looked at each other.

Then with wild-eyed grins,

Ran after their mother.

The hill was too steep-

It was almost like falling;

The uneven sand could have

Sent them all sprawling.

Down ran the mother;

Two girls running after.

And at the bottom, all three

Started rolling with laughter.