Saint Nicholas--For Lomme

Vienna, Austria
December 5, 2015

My poor friend Lomme.  When he was a student at SUNY Plattsburgh in the early 1980's, he always hosted a Saint Nicholas party the first weekend in December.  Those invited, of course, had no idea about St. Nicholas traditions.  "Write a poem," he tell us.  Instead, we'd show up at his apartment with gifts.

Oh, Lomme, Friend

Sung to the tune of O Christmas Tree

Oh, Lomme, friend.

It was so great

Our foray into

Flanders land.

Where poppies grow

And there is snow

Upon the graves

Of Allied troops.

Oh, Lomme, friend,

Thank you so much

For all of this

That made it grand.

From casa small

to 'seums large

And Bruges and Ghent

and Franco land.

Oh, Lomme, friend,

I can't forget

Saint Nicholas

On the Ringwaart--

The boats so fun

And Pete's galore

In Hillegom 

and Amsterdam.

It was my dream

To see Saint Nick

Arrive by boat

On his big day.

Oh, Lomme, friend,
And Ina, dear
Stephen, Marlyn
I can't forget.

Sweet memories of
The Netherlands,
Belgium, France
And Ypres, too.

I wish you all
A good feast day
Of Sinterklaas
And Christmas Day.

Oh, Lomme, friend,
Grateful I am
For friendship
That's endured the years

I have no doubt
It will endure
In Europe
or the USA.

So there...my first poem to you, Lomme.  It's only taken 33 years!  I just hope it's right!