THE BECKY COLLECTION
Salad Dressing Sandwiches
©By Becky
While I was on the phone to my sister last night
She suggested a poem that I might like to write
I really don't remember the age that I was then
I wonder, let me see, just where shall I begin
It was real hot that day in the month of July
It was so dang hot, even the birds couldn't fly
We had been at home with Mama all that week
Away from the orphanage which was a nice treat
It was unusual for the others to have been there
All of us together, which was really quite rare
Four of the older kids who had already left home
Five of us younger ones who were not yet grown
Some one suggested we go out and play ball
In the pasture, I don't know who'd had the gall
I don't know how we did it but we started to play
Out in the pasture over there across the way
Me being the younger of the siblings back then
I wasn't much help but they'd let me pretend
I was sitting there with nothing to do or say
They put me in the field, no ball came my way
I was getting restless and guess they could tell
When all a sudden brother Herbert gave a yell
Hey there! baby sister, a big favor to ask of you
We are getting hungry fix us a sandwich or two
I remember, to be ask, I was really quite proud
For me making a meal for such a large crowd
I really think they just wanted me out of the way
I still can remember as if it was just yesterday
I trotted off the field and went into the house
I snuck into the kitchen as quiet as a mouse
Mama didn't approve of me being in there alone
For all those sharp knives, could cut to the bone
I got a loaf of light bread down off of the shelf
And a jar of salad dressing so proud of myself
A knife that spread butter the side wasn't sharp
Started making the sandwiches in speed of warp
I fixed enough sandwiches, used the whole sack
Gathering them all close to me I hurried out back
I was so very careful, not to drop a single one
Finally got back to the pasture, I was almost done
Herbert sitting cross legged down on the ground
I guess they were resting, all were gathered round
Some just talking and twisting grass out by its roots
I then laid the sandwiches, on Herbert's dirty boots
He started to holler at me, then he saw my face
The pride he saw there, made him hush in case
He hurt my feelings, my happiness then did soar
He looked at my efforts, laughter became a roar
The laughter got louder as the others joined in
I had not realized it yet, so I joined with the din
Telling me my big mistake, my ears began to roar
Salad dressing, between the slices, nothing more
The laughter it subsided as I then began to cry
I ran away, all I wanted was to curl up and die
I was so embarrassed I had done it all wrong
I just kept on running but it wasn't for too long
Brothers and sisters caught up with me so fast
All the I'm sorry's had stopped the crying at last
They promised to eat every little crumb of bread
Of the Salad dressing sandwiches. Then they lead
Me back to the field, and right there on the ground
Sandwiches I'd made for them, and without a sound
They began eating, making faces of great delight
With cheeks stuffed so full, that was a special sight
And from that day to this, my favorite thing to eat
Is a Salad dressing sandwich, no, it can't be beat
I will be sitting there eating, all of a sudden when
It will enter into my mind, I start to think, then grin
I can only imagine all the effort that it would take
Eating those filthy sandwiches, all just for my sake
I had eight great sibling, as I've always bragged
I wouldn't have eaten them, I'd have rather gagged
belljoye
June 5, 1999
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