AUNT FANNIE by Gaylia Kenslow Stogsdill

Now you’re my aunt and you’re full of fun --
When I’ve run down, you’ve just begun
There are many tales you’ve told to me --
And they’re filled away in memory.
When I would visit you as a child
The stories you told me were far from mild.
Each night when we would go out to “wee”—
This is what you would say to me –
“It’s dark outside and in the woods –
Is a man who gets girls and boys who aren’t good.
He carries a bag upon his back and walks among the farms –
Inside that bag are the girls and boys, and he’s cut off their legs and arms”.
Many, many years ago I went home with you –
When dark came I got lonesome and was feeling blue.
I asked you to take me home – I promised to walk all the way –
But you said no, we’d have to pass the cemetery, and the dead would be sitting on their graves
One day in California, when my birthday rolled around –
You gave me a gift, it was socks for Joe, and I threw them on the ground.
My Mom and I went home one day and found a man in bed –
To our relief, it was one of your pranks, it was a “dummy” instead.
I always liked to visit you and go swimming in the creek –
Until the day I went home from your house with poison ivy on both bottom cheeks.
Even throughout my life, you’ve scared me out of my wits –
I wouldn’t trade these memories for a billion times “two-bits”.
You’re really worth your weight in gold, and that’s a fact “by-granny” –
For in all this world there is no match for that Aunt of mine called Fannie.
 
Gaylia Kenslow Stogsdill
Written for Aunt Fannie Morris who tormented and teased constantly.
 
Copyright Roy Richard