On Echols Street in Sixty Three <br />There was some 'painting' done, <br />And those who did that painting <br />Said it was a lot of fun. <br /> <br />For Gerry, it was more like 'work: ' <br />To paint walls in her house. <br />Her husband joined to help her, <br />For, if not, he'd be a 'louse.' <br /> <br />Two friends on Echols Street then learned <br />That Gerry had a wall: <br />So big.... and clean.... and empty, <br />But, no art to hang at all. <br /> <br />They felt, 'in her condition, ' <br />She could not go shopping much... <br />For paintings, pictures, ornaments: <br />Those things we hang, and such. <br /> <br />They got the idea that <br />They 'really' could 'paint' too, <br />To help the situation, <br />And to show they were 'true blue.' <br /> <br />With canvass, brushes, oils, <br />And their lovely color schemes, <br />They set to work, each striving <br />To produce a pleasant scene. <br /> <br />That they succeeded.... well, just look: <br />Upon that grateful wall: <br />Where Gerry hung those paintings up, <br />Without a strain at all. <br /> <br />So, Charlotte's peaceful street at dusk, <br />And Peggy's basket bright, <br />Are blended in a nice effect, <br />A true aesthetic sight. <br /> <br />The Gardners have some culture now.... <br />That's not the only part; <br />The paintings show that.... best of all.... <br />Those gifts are from the heart. <br /> <br /> <br />(Written in recognition of two paintings, one each given to Gerry <br />by our good neighbors, Charlotte O'Hara and Peggy Youngblood in Vienna, Virginia, during September 1963.) <br /> <br /><br />Frank V. Gardner<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/gerry-s-paintings-on-the-wall/
