Happy Birthday Will Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Gather round and lend an ear
To an epic, weird, though dear
Of some people long ago
In a place that was so so.

Kids from Brooklyn there were two
Did they make it to Bronx Zoo?
Doesn't matter, for they spent
Happy times with bookish bent.

There were times when they would rather
Cruise the Village and then gather
Flowers from near windowsills
Better far than gobs of pills

Will was of poetic vein
Worshipped odes by Gertrude Stein
Sally felt that medicine
Ruled in occupations' bin.

But alas, how fate does twist
Plans on people's 'will do' list
Love walked in and that was that
Kids grew up in nothing flat.

Sally loved her poet dear
She got tipsy on one beer.
'Cheapest date he ever had, '
Was her comment, that's not bad.

Will then switched to medicine
Under influence of gin
And the lovely Sally, too
She could choose no wrong, it's true.

Years went by and lovers climbed
Alps and traumas of all kinds
Popping babies, settling down
Sunland fair, now that's their town.

Looking back, wow, what a trip
Kids from Brooklyn took a sip
From life's nectar, goblets full
It's a fact; their life's not dull.

Will still travels far and near
Conferences thru the year
Let's not ask just what they are
They will blow your mind too far.

Sally switched from science, meds
Tired of chasing apes with Keds
She prefers to spin the clay
On a wheel, not far away.

In her spare time she does enter
Spheres of art and starts new Centers
Painters, sculptors and the like
Head to Sunland on the 'Pike.

Party time at Will and Sally's
Is a time to fill the belies:
Seafood salad, casseroles
Drinks galore. Let's pass the bowls.

Do you rest at end of week
Sick of working with some geek?
Will must surely have dark powers –
Slams a basketball for hours.

Well, its time to end this ditty
Sorry if it wasn't pretty.
Will your cup is full, not empty.
Best to you Will, you're now seventy!