for Pat
On your birthday before your birth, Kublai
Kahn becomes ruler of Mongols’ Empire.
Mary Kies spits chauvinists in the eye,
lands a female’s first U.S. patent. Choirs
in Paris mourn Napoleon’s death.
In
New York, Carnegie Hall opens—Pyotr
Tchaikovsky conducts. Cy Young is pitching
the first perfect game. John Scopes’ brave lecture
on evolution leads to his arrest.
Three Stooges’ initial short shines on screen.
Alan Shepard’s space flight proves human’s first.
Secretariat’s race remains supreme.
Which leads me to hope your birthday right here
brings you laughs, health, and a historic
year!
Roger Armbrust
May 5, 2013
