Years of My Life

A Journey from 1944 to … Now

1996–97 School Year

Harmon Middle School

The end arrived—and I retired

In January of the year—

Some thirty years since I’d been hired.

My youth would never reappear.

But Mary Shelley, by that time,

Had moved into my writing mind,

And I felt in my writing prime—

So I pursued—what would I find?

I spent most hours every day

At work on Mary Shelley’s tale—

I found I was so pleased that way—

And stayed away from county jail!

I also taught a college class

For Hiram—Weekend College course.

And I enjoyed it (all would pass!)—

But soon I left—with no remorse.

I wanted much more time to read—

To travel, research, and to write.

For now these things fulfilled a need—

And I worked hard to do it right.

And then Joyce found another place—

A place in Hudson she adored.

And so we bought it—now our base—

Our happiness just swelled and soared.