My First Love

Ramona was thin and rangy

Quite tall for the third grade

Not quite put together 

Like a bed that wasn’t made

 

She was only eight years old

Don’t mean to be unkind

Not the prettiest girl in the class

By any stretch of mind

 

Thirty people in our class

Preparing for Valentines Day

Each decorating a paper bag

Adding our name to the display

 

Teacher tacked our bags

On the chalkboard eraser tray

To accept other’s valentines 

Before the class party on that day

 

The night before at home

Signing all my valentine cards

Couldn’t recall every classmate’s name

Which made my job too hard

 

My mother said don’t write a name on every card

Just sign with love from you

And when they open up your card

They’ll know your friendships true

 

And when you get to class

Walk down the chalkboard row

Just drop a card in every bag

To cover everyone you know

 

We didn’t count on my being distracted 

As I continued on apace

Dropping cards in bags

And losing my place

 

Result was one classmate

Got two cards from me

Both signed “Love, Jeff”

For everyone to see

 

By now you know Ramona

Thought she was my true love

As did 28 other classmates 

And all the stars above