(this written about a baker's half-dozen years ago)


this then stunning lithe oldest teenage niece, daughter of
my younger sister epitomizes a tall drink of water
(similar to the mother at same age)
What with her willowy young woman body

brimming with budding potential
   for breath-taking beauty
enhanced by her quiet mien
expressing itself thru exemplary
   artistic and literary flair

if asked to draw a character sketch anime
   or wax poetic she would demure
modesty restrains her
   acknowledging creative talents

so I thought to compose an ode in praise
of this quiet-natured adolescent
   teetering on the brink of adulthood
(now a glowingly radiant young woman)

evolving positive qualities
   via submittable, the strength of said niece
whose ambitious parents (my youngest sister =
   the proud mama of Ansley),

   who embarked to Spain
late summer (many Earth Orbitz back in time
found them bound for the Iberian peninsula
this brother suppresses

   envy adventurous bold risk-taking
exposing offspring to world wide web
   of Europe fostering cultural awareness
   represents continuity for I remember

   this youngest sibling of mine
   as gently conniving plus possessing
   pluperfect  courage
to act on her je nais sais qua esprit de corps

as like an inner divining rod
   and faith in self-enabling
   an exemplary example
of motherhood constituting

both this and Marleigh
   (the second of deux whip-smart darlings)
with the world at their fingertips
   as hands-on learning
all the while insinuating courage
   to take life by the red bull by the horns!

What pride and joy for me to delight,
albeit vicariously upon receiving invite,
sans commencement at
Redmond Proficiency Academy
on May twenty second at six o'clock at night,
which arrangement to Maurice silly revel

from afar, viz pomp and circumstances quite
emotional, ah...I can feel exuberance
listening to Sir Edward
Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance
March Number 1 - right
amidst envisioned glorious sight,

this prodigal beloved
young lady Marleigh Dunning, aye write
a precious prized progeny,
with modesty all agleam
no doubt with beauty, she twill beam
dazzling full house, electrifying audience

asper her due smarts, i.e. creme de la creme
top honors, and accolades galore
relishing hearty applause, and teary eyes
left for this estranged bro attempting to dream,
how proud such progressive parents
Andy (by the way belated happy birthday),

and Shari dear sister my apology, harried self esteem
(mine), who nonetheless takes stock,
how promising success story doth appear
will take said niece far and wide,
which **** kid will quick buckle down and clear
as pitch perfect cerulean sky will engineer

experiential opportunities, whose cerebral gear
far and above this average hear
suit uncle late in his existence
admires brilliant storied
future awaiting thee
acquiring an equitable salary

persevering toward passion,
vis a vis art history
with a minor in chemistry,
abundant wit and wisdom
so blessed born free

to choose bajillion options
soon to matriculate at Ivy
League school, perhaps
becoming rich and famous
as hordes of paparazzi
furiously jostle and elbow

to savor opportunity
as demure, genteel, as ideal
exemplar of female human poise -
ladies and gentlemen the renown Marleigh,
whose shining moment under klieg lights,

this financially strapped poet
unable to rejoice in person, qua special day
duet to a pinched finances
arising when Hyundai Sonata,
thrice necessitated monetary outlay!