The Newton Family Talent Page

Our Reunion

by Lucy Newton Voss

1939

As I pause for meditation,

For a moments hesitation from my baking and my scrubbing and a dozen things or more,

I am thinking things are humming and the dear ones will be coming.

Suddenly I hear a roar;

Yes its some one's car a sputtin' sounds like stammering and stuttering as it rolls up to the door.

Now I see his face asmile whiskers,

possibly the style but with laughter and with mirth he greets each one for DeWitt jumps from the car,

while his door is left afar;

each one now is sure that there will be some fun.

Fred is busy here and there,

greeting loved ones,

figuring where each will park their cars and lay their bundles down.

Mothers' laughter I can hear and the voices,

very dear of our relatives who have come from out of town.

While the tables' being laid in the old familiar glade there is Nellie, Franklin, Charles and Bessie too,

then there's Minnie wide awake and I think she's brought a cake which Cecil wishes her to cut but twice in two.

Now there's coffee to be made or perhaps its just Kool Aid,

if the weather keeps as hot as it has been and the stove didn't work too good,

not as perfect as it should with its good old sides of rock and top of tin.

When the dinners' on the table all are quiet, if they're able,

grace is said and many mouths fly open wide.

Could I tell it if I would, should I tell it if I could,

all the things that each of you'll put inside.

Sandwiches, not just a few, baked beans, cake and salads too,

Until most of the stomachs have to stretch the hide.

Harold and Russell both are aching to be called out for speech making,

while banana peels are flying here and there.

Someone tries to say a word,

much loud banging now is heard,

if a peeling strikes your face,

you must not care thus with food,

games and visits blended,

a mast gala day is ended and the plans are made

to meet another year.