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This is the eightieth birthday showing my father on his eightieth birthday surrounded by six of his grandchildren, his wife, one son, two daughters-in -law including Erica who was expecting Alice born less than a month later.The other son, David took the photograph. |
I'll tell you a tale of David
Of children he had his fair quota
The one we know best is 80 today
And he was born in Palamcottah
He had big brothers, Annan and Davy
young Isaac and little wee Ted
and five sisters in addition
all of whom were very well bred
Elsie and Mercy and Eva,
And Kitty who we never met
They kept horses and donkeys and children
Because Davy wanted to be a vet
Our Dad was called Swartz for a reason
although he was really quite brown
And so to express his disapproval
He burnt the chicken house down.
His Dad said "you'll pay for this sonny"
Such things will not do in this place
Why don't you study medicine like your brothers
And take a nice wife like Aunty Grace
No thanks replied Swartz with all candour
Im into matters more philosophical
so I'm off to America shortly
If you could spare me a dime or a nickel
You nut said his pa in Amazement
In India philosophy and religion abound
Americans come her for our knowledge
Youve got it the wrong way around
"But Apa" said Swartz in all earnest
I really do feel like a change
So if you cant simply finance me
A scholarship I shall arrange.
So off to America he travelled
and entered the University of Chicago
Where he became a doctor
like the immortal Dr Zhivago.
Now Swartz was rather an extrovert
And he didnt care much for his name
So he looked up the name of his grandad
And Swartz Malaiperuman he became
The poem continues........
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The poem continues | Slater Family Website | Karen Slater's Website |