A Lasting Friendship
For Betty Burton
A friend for over thirty years.
It is funny just how time slips away.
It only seems like yesterday
when the two of us met,
long, long ago in 1976.
It was in September of that year
a friend persuaded me
to go along to a writing class
to help boost up the numbers
and my moral.
With just four pupils
and five when I came along,
so a small intimate group
all with the desire to write,
but Betty became
the most famous of us all
with over thirteen
historical romantic bestsellers.
She really has made her name.
I am proud to say
I was there when she began.
I remember when
she had her first short story published
it was a treat to us all.
If Betty could do it
then there was some hope for us all.
She even started teaching
and I was a guest speaker
at one of her classes,
and as the years passed on by,
we met up with one another
very occasionally,
but what remained
even to this day
was a lasting friendship.
About that
there is nothing more to say.
17 January 2007
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Little Loui Is Adorable
Little Loui who is so sweet,
sits real relaxed in his new car seat.
He rides next to Betty all over town,
he barks to protect her,
his bark makes a cute sound.
Little Loui makes Betty smile as she looks
toward him sitting on the ground,
for Little Loui follows Betty all around.
A couple of times he slipped away,
but Betty got him back all O.K.
Little Loui loves to go on very long walks,
with Betty he listens to her while she talks.
Betty dresses Little Loui up in outfits cute as can be,
Little Loui looks smashing and adorable to a T.
Little Loui will play with Madison this year,
Loui is friends with Madison who is his friend so dear.
poem by Suzae Chevalier
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In Loving Memory
A long time ago,1976 to be exact
a friend said I should go along
to a writing class he had joined.
Therefore, I did and met someone,
who was to change my life.
However, I did not know it at the time.
For the first couple of years he was simply my tutor.
However, as the years rolled on,
he became my mentor,
and most of all my friend.
For every year, we knew one another
the friendship grew stronger than before.
Before I met Maurice,
he had published four novels
and I have every one.
He started with A City Called Holy,
next came The Splendour and the Havoc,
and then The World and the Flesh,
and finally Across the Frontier.
He also wrote plays,
produced, directed and acted
in them with his wife Peggy.
When I met him his books
were out of print,
but through the years,
I found them one by one.
After a friendship that lasted
over seventeen years Maurice died.
However just before he passed away,
he told me how his local library
had approached him, wanting to know
if he had any copies of his books,
as they only had one left.
He did not and felt sadly about that.
As he told me, I made a promise to myself.
Not matter how long it took,
or how much it would cost,
his local library would have,
those books of his they did not have.
More than ten years passed from the time of his death,
until I was finally able to fulfil my promise.
I collected through the years
the books the library was missing.
In January 2006, I presented them to his local library.
It was a way of saluting a special friend,
helping keep his name alive.
I did it because of the special gifts,
through the years he gave me.
His friendship, his knowledge and help
with my writing no one had ever given before.
Therefore, any success
that I may ever achieve
can be contributed to him.
A gentleman of words,
my tutor, my mentor,
and lastly a very kind and special friend.
(For the late Maurice Callard)
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Black Betty
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty bam-ba-lam
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Black betty had a child (bam-ba-lam)
and she swears it's mine (bam-ba-lam)
she must be outta mind (bam-ba-lam)
she must think im blind (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
monday she got me arrested.
on tuesday up in chain.
on wednesday my trial was tested.
thursday she posted my bail.
friday we went walking.
saturday i out my door.
on sunday we was talking,
back on monday she pawned all my cloths.
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty )bam-ba-lam)
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
song performed by by Tom Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Little Loui’s Bark
In Cincinnati in the winter freezing cold,
Betty and her son would be brave and very bold.
They would venture out and find a little guy,
The smallest Yorkie puppy with love in his eyes.
Yes, a little Yorkie that was small but not afraid,
Betty named him Loui after a song her son played.
Yes, Loui is a sweet pup, but also has a bark,
he protects Betty as they walk in the dark.
He is very protective and watches with his keen eyes,
He’s not afraid of nobody while watching Betty’s side.
Especially at City Place where people are about,
He is quick to bark while checking them out.
Loui the little Yorkie needs to know,
if stranger passing by are a friend or a foe.
So remember Loui who’s bark
is smaller than his bite,
He will protect Betty day or night.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on September 17,2011
www.christinasunrise.com www.purplepoems.com
www.suzaechevalier.com
poem by Christina Sunrise
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Zackariah May
I'll tell you a sad story-Of a man named Zackariah May-He fell in love with a beautiful girl-Her name was Betty Ann Gray-Right away they atarted dating-But Zackariah didn't know-Betty Ann had a secret-She also had another beau-Zackariah heard from a friend-That Betty was cheating on him-When Zackaraih asked her about it-She said it's true his name is Jim-Zackariah told Betty Goodbye-The news she heard next day-A young drown in the river-His name was Zackariah May.
poem by Joy Thacker
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Little Loui's Bark
In Cincinnati in the winter freezing cold,
Betty and her son would be brave and very bold.
They would venture out and find a little guy,
The smallest Yorkie puppy with love in his eyes.
Yes, a little Yorkie that was small but not afraid,
Betty named him Loui after a song her son played.
Yes, Loui is a sweet pup, but also has a bark,
he protects Betty as they walk in the dark.
He is very protective and watches with his keen eyes,
He's not afraid of nobody while watching Betty's side.
Especially at City Place where people are about,
He is quick to bark while checking them out.
Loui the little Yorkie needs to know,
if stranger passing by are a friend or a foe.
So remember Loui who's bark
is smaller than his bite,
He will protect Betty day or night.
Written by Suzae Chevalier on September 17,2011
www.suzae.com www.suechevalier.com
poem by Suzae Chevalier
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Little Loui Is Adorable
Little Loui who is so sweet,
sits real relaxed in his new car seat.
He rides next to Betty all over town,
he barks to protect her,
his bark makes a cute sound.
Little Loui makes Betty smile as she looks
toward him sitting on the ground,
for Little Loui follows Betty all around.
A couple of times he slipped away,
but Betty got him back all O.K.
Little Loui loves to go on very long walks,
with Betty he listens to her while she talks.
Betty dresses Little Loui up in outfits cute as can be,
Little Loui looks smashing and dressed to the T.
Little Loui will play with Madison this year,
Little Loui and Madison are friends so dear.
Written By Suzae Chevalier on December 17,2011
poem by Christina Sunrise
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Faded Pages
Recently I started retyping
a manuscript of short stories
I had written twenty years ago.
The pages were faded;
too much time being opened to the sun.
As I typed, I smiled
at the things I had written
and the dialogue I had created.
The stories are about a cat
and looking at the world
through his eyes and thoughts.
I had even created him a language
that I had to write a glossary
at the back of the book to explain
what some of the phrases meant.
There is a vast array of characters
and most have a funny turn.
I also remember what prompted me
to write the stories long ago.
My original intention was to write
one story and one story only,
but a friend of mine at the time
persuaded me to write another and another.
Before long, a volume was finished
with enough stories to start another.
From a one off story I have written over sixty now
about the cat and all his friends.
Now as I flick through these faded pages,
which I haven’t read in years,
I find myself being reunited
with many long lost friends.
26 January 2009
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Betty My Friend
Betty with her deep brown eyes,
is a sweetheart that can sympathize.
She is a believer in my creativity,
she gives me feedback with dignity
Betty encourages me to protect myself,
she knows I am a creator like no one else.
Betty is a great parent and a kind soul,
she takes her son Loui wherever she goes.
She gives him treats for he is a good boy,
burgers from McDonalds, but no plastic toy.
Betty even made sure I was feed,
she bought a cheeseburger before she went to bed.
Betty really loves my artwork and my books,
she is amazed and knows what they are worth.
Thank you Betty for believing in me,
I bless you and your son Little Loui.
Written By Suzae Chevalier on February 11,2012
poem by Suzae Chevalier
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Dear Friend
For The Late Maurice Callard
Dear friend it has been a long time
since I last spoke to you.
Sadly, I will never get that chance again.
You are gone now,
sitting at God’s side.
While you were here,
you were my tutor,
my surrogate father and my friend.
I remember our first meeting
so very vividly.
You headed up a class of five
and the year was 1976.
For the next 17 years or so,
you became the lifeblood of me.
I remember how you patiently
guided me through each novel that I wrote.
Proclaiming that I got better with each one.
Too bad the publishers never saw it that way.
However, you never let me get discouraged by that.
There is always the next one you would say.
You called me your good luck charm
as every class I attended
always seemed to be a good one.
I made many friends thanks to you.
Just before your health started failing
we got together and gave a night to you.
They asked me to speak about you.
I abandoned the script I had written
and just recollected the happy years that we had.
In a year or so, you were gone
with one wish left behind.
For nearly 14 years,
I carried that wish with me.
Then finally I got a chance to fulfil it
and your last wish came true.
It was paying back only a small measure
of what you had given me.
Of those five students you had in 1976
two have been granted
the success you wished on them.
One became a renown novelist
and the other a poet - me.
Dear friend you may be gone
but you are not forgotten
by me or anyone
who was touched by your generosity.
2 April 2009
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dead Babies
Dead Babies
Little Betty ate a pound of aspirin
She got them from the shelf upon the wall
Betty's mommy wasn't there to save her
She didn't hear her little baby call
(Wah!)
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't want you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Daddy is an agrophile in Texas
Mommy's on the bar most every night
Little Betty's sleeping in the graveyard
Living there in burgundy and white
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't love you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Goodbye, Little Betty
Goodbye, Little Betty
So long, Little Betty
So long, Little Betty
Betty, so long
Dead babies
Can't take care of themselves
Dead babies
Can't take things off the shelf
Well we didn't need you anyway
Lalala-la, lalala-la, la la la
Goodbye, Little Betty
song performed by by Iced Earth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Betty Called Me In
Betty jo, you made it plain
When first you held me near.
Even though you caused me pain,
You were all the world to me.
We made love; we had such fun.
Many fine times went by us.
Now its all so hazy
And a little bit crazy.
Betty jo, my hearts on fire;
I dont need this crying.
The next time you see me,
The back seat of a taxis where Ill be.
Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
I think that was my big love scene
I do belive her engine run all right.
Betty said: get ready, the time has come.
I was young and the good life had begun.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.
Betty made my clothes and sewed my jeans,
Listened to my songs and foolish schemes.
I think the way she got to me
Was aimed like a laser beam right to the soul.
Betty, my true love, do what you do tonight.
Where she goes I hope she knows shes right.
The worst demand and the best of times,
She was never the kind to kick and bitch and fight.
Betty called me in to say goodnight,
Much to my relief and pure delight.
And with the dawn, the child in me was gone,
But it made a man out of me that night.
I think that was my big love scene
I do believe her engine run all right.
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Betty Lou's Gettin' Out Tonight
Have you heard the news
It's all over town
If you ain't heard it boys
You better sit down
I got the story here
It's hot off the press
Brace yourself now
And take a deep breath
Grob a hold of something
Hold on tight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
First heard the rumor down on 12th and Main
The poor druggist he was going insane
His stuff is selling out like never before
He finally had to up and close the store
All the boys were getting ready to fight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
Betty Lou's gettin' out tonight
She was bad
Her momma got mad
But now her momma said it's all right
All the boys are getting ready and right
Betty Lou's gettin'out tonight
Betty Lou
Betty Lou
It's all true
It's really true
What do you think about that boys
song performed by by Bob Seger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Australian Rose
For Betty Backhouse
Where ever you may be.
Way back in 1959
my parents, my sister and I.
Sailed from New York harbour
passed the Statue of Liberty
on an ocean liner called the RML Ivernia.
It was on this liner I met a girl slightly older than me,
who completely captivated me.
She was travelling with her parents and her brother.
They were from Australia
and her name was Betty.
She reminded me so much of my Canadian rose,
and the resemblance was uncanny.
The trip to England took seven nights and seven days.
Within those days,
she swept my heart completely away.
My biggest regret now is
I forgot to ask them where they lived in Australia.
When we docked in Southampton
in the December of that year,
amidst the rush and excitement
of returning to the land of my birth
I looked around and they were gone.
I often wonder how Betty and her brother ever got on.
That was almost fifty years ago
and hopes of ever seeing them are gone,
but I will always remember that Australian rose
until my final breath is taken away.
Should they ever read this by chance one day.
I hope that life has been wonderful to them both,
Betty and her brother where ever they may be.
3 June 2008
poem by David Harris
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Betty Lous Getting Out Tonight
Words and music by bob seger
Have you heard the news
Its all over town
If you aint heard it boys
You better sit down
I got the story here
Its hot off the press
Brace yourself now
And take a deep breath
Grob a hold of something
Hold on tight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
First heard the rumor down on 12th and main
The poor druggist he was going insane
His stuff is selling out like never before
He finally had to up and close the store
All the boys were getting ready to fight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
Betty lous gettin out tonight
She was bad
Her momma got mad
But now her momma said its all right
All the boys are getting ready and right
Betty lous gettinout tonight
Betty lou
Betty lou
Its all true
Its really true
What do you think about that boys
song performed by by Bob Seger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Betty
Oh Betty
You know I loved you so
I'm shattered
It hurt so much to see you go
Give me your heart, I'll keep it beating
And your blood will spill no more
Oh I want to love you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
Oh Betty
Don't tell heaven where you've been
Don't you know that needing love is not a sin
Give me your soul, I'll be it's keeper
And the words I speak will be yours
Oh I try to hate you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
And the leaves are starting to fall from the trees again
And I remember when
And autumn wind sang a song of a sin
But I wasn't ready
Oh Betty
Oh Betty
Don't tell heaven where you've been
Didn't you know that needing love is not a sin
Give me your heart, I'll keep it beating
And your blood will spill no more
Oh I want to love you Betty
But I can't
'Cause you closed the greatest of doors
You closed the greatest of doors
song performed by by Tiffany
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You Can Call Me Al
A man walks down the street
He says why am I soft in the middle now
Why am I soft in the middle
The rest of my life is so hard
I need a photo-opportunity
I want a shot at redemption
Dont want to end up a cartoon
In a cartoon graveyard
Bonedigger bonedigger
Dogs in the moonlight
Far away my well-lit door
Mr. beerbelly beerbelly
Get these mutts away from me
You know I dont find this stuff amusing anymore
If youll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you betty
And betty when you call me
You can call me al
A man walks down the street
He says why am I short of attention
Got a short little span of attention
And wo my nights are so long
Wheres my wife and family
What if I die here
Wholl be my role-model
Now that my role-model is
Gone gone
He ducked back down the alley
With some roly-poly little bat-faced girl
All along along
There were incidents and accidents
There were hints and allegations
If youll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you betty
And betty when you call me
You can call me al
Call me al
A man walks down the street
Its a street in a strange world
Maybe its the third world
Maybe its his first time around
He doesnt speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound
The sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity
He says amen! and hallelujah!
If youll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you betty
And betty when you call me
You can call me al
Call me al
song performed by by Paul Simon
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Down To The Well
Down to the well
Betty always knows
Betty always tells
She laughing desperately
She said it felt like a river inside her bones
When she went down to the well
Gonna be with her
She is gonna take me there
Lead me by my hand
Her body a rocking chair for my soul
I can hardly wait, baby
I can hardly wait
til we go down to the well
Down to the well
Been thinking to myself
And if a lifes not long
What matter does it make
If therell be favorite songs playing in my head
When we go down to the well
I can hardly wait, betty
I can hardly wait
till we go down to the well
Down to the well
song performed by by Pixies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Growing Up Before Time
You stood outside
the ABC cinema
with Helen looking
at the framed photographs
of the stills
from the film
then showing
she clutching her doll
Battered Betty
you standing there
pointing out
the main characters
my old man said
he'd take me
to see this
on Saturday
you said
Helen rocked Betty
in her arms
I hope our child
doesn't call you
old man
she said
maybe he won't
you replied
it might be a she
Helen said
sure it might
you said
you gave Betty a look
as she hung there
in Helen's arms
you looked back
at the photo stills
putting your hands
in the pockets
of your jeans
maybe
you can take me
to the cinema
when we are older
Helen said
and we can sit
at the back
like those grown ups do
and kiss
you sensed her hand
touch your arm
and rub it up
and down
Betty moving
as Helen's arm moved
sure
you said
long as I can still see
the movie
Helen handed you Betty
and you took
your hands out
of your pockets
and held her gingerly
like she might go
crap on you
and Helen put
a hand in her pocket
and pulled out
a few coins
I might have enough
here for some fries
she said
ok
you replied
and you walked
beside Helen
along the New Kent Road
to the Neptune's fish shop
holding Battered Betty
carefully against
your cowboy shirt
the one your mother
bought you
for your birthday
the year before
Helen talked
of children's names
and you thought
of the Wild West
and cowboy games.
poem by Terry Collett
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Thirteen Years
Thirteen years of pencils and paper
Thirteen years of “I'll do it later”
Thirteen years of homework and classes
Thirteen years of fails and passes
Thirteen years have gone by so fast
And it's finally our year of last
Thirteen years of enemies and friends
Our memories that will never end
Thirteen years of growing up
Relying off of chance and luck
Changing our hair and our clothes
Making our decisions based off shows
Thirteen years preparing for our lives
For our future successful tries
For our almost guaranteed mistakes
And the friends we are sure to make
Thirteen years and now thirteen more
Traveling from shore to shore
Separating from our family and friends
Moving on and on again and again
Good Luck to us all, wherever we go
May we always have pride, and let it show
For our origins of HHS
Class of 2011 will always be the best!
poem by Cheylee Miller
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