Free Photo from Pixabay
A friend has pointed to a serious lack in the world’s culture. I could not let it pass. See if you are as moved as I was:
From Kurious Kitty: “Tomorrow is the anniversary of the birth of Lucille Ball of I Love Lucy fame. She was born on August 6, 1911–105 years ago. I thought I might find a poem about Lucille Ball, or I Love Lucy, since she and the sitcom were such a notable part of post-WW II popular culture. I always check first the Poetry Foundation website search feature, but found nothing directly related to Lucille Ball.”
My inner crone and I cackled, conspired and this transpired:
An Ode Not Quite Odious
To Lucy of the curling locks,
red, shining but tightly tamed,
as was your genius, always
cloaked in silly ways and
cunning looks. You capered,
scarpered, skeddadled and tattled,
never more charming when
being shy or disarming.
Would I could have met you,
repaid every laugh with
the right words to lift you
when you needed it, as you
lifted me so many times.
I’m left only to gift you rhymes.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Let no one say I walked away from a serious blight on our culture, unmoved by Lucille Ball’s plight — an icon of redhaired beauty uncelebrated by poets. Do you have a few words to spare for Lucille Ball? Care to share?
And Happy Poetry Friday, a few hours late, a dollar short, but snark to spare. Thanks again to Tara Smith at A Teaching Life for hosting and letting me slide in with a double play.
Friendly Fairy Tales 
Shoot!:) “Yours, Mine and Ours” made in 1968 and Lucille Ball got recognized with the Golden Laurel for Female Actress in this movie. It is funny and chaotic, while I was 13, my brothers were 12 and 9. We went to see it as a family. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s even more kids! Holy moses. 18 kids…
LikeLike
I like the gift of your Ode poem to Lucy. It was full of her charming and disarming ways, as well as her ability to make us all laugh. My favorite episodes are of the wine making and the candy factory! Oh my goodness, that woman was sparkling and never a coward, taking on pratfalls and goofy crying like it was the end of the world! I loved the Lucille Ball movies, including one with a family, wasn’t she the original wife in Cheaper by the Dozen? I will come back if I am wrong. . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I think that was Myrna Loy, of the Thin Man movies. I love her, too. Maybe I should write one to her as well.
LikeLike
Lucille Ball was a lady who set the stage for so many who followed. My Dad and Mom were either like Liz and Dick or Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Very boisterous and passionate, but gentle and loving, dancing in the kitchen and so involved with each other’s interests and US!
I always liked the Mary Tyler Moore show, and of course, it’s predecessor or way that got her there, The Dick Van Dyke Show. The shows had quirky characters but had also groundbreaking plots, acceptance of differences (Ricky was Hispanic, clearly Lucy was not.) MTM had Rhoda with some intimations of her Jewish background and Mary was able to be a bachelorette, make friends and not depend on men to get by. Mary also went into the office and could get her gruff, grumbling boss to change his mind! 🙂
I loved the opening display of throwing her beret up in the sky, with the song ending, “I’m going to make it, after all!” Great sharing post, Brenda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it sparked great memories. I was always happy to laugh.
LikeLike
I know of ‘I Love Lucy’ but hardly ever watched it, don’t think it was on our British tv’s very often. But that’s a lovely idea writing a tribute to someone who made you laugh! I should write a poem about the movie ‘Tootsie’ Dustin Hoffman in dress… that made me laugh when I was a very sick young girl, I’ve been a fan of his ever since. These favourite entertainers …if only they knew how much they lifted our spirits just when we needed it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write it! I wish Robin Williams had remembered how much we all loved him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, I miss that Lucy! Well done and a nice tribute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. She was a corker. 🙂
LikeLike
Lucy was a role model for many girls.
I love the old series. It makes me laugh without the use of vulgarity… just an old fashioned funny! A wonderful poem & tribute, Brenda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her facial expressions were the best part. She was a comic, right through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Yeah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Brenda. Poetic justice. Now she can breathe easy in her deep sleep, and so can we all! Thanks for righting the wrong… or in this case, writing what’s right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that, writing what’s right. Getting it right in a poem sounds easier than it is. Thanks!
LikeLike
A fitting tribute to a comic genius. Genie-ess? She was one of a kind! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robyn. I couldn’t pass it by. I remember her show fondly. She was one of the few redheads on television, and she wasn’t the witch or the tramp. I appreciated her for that as much for the laughs.
LikeLike
Thank you Brenda, such a right on the mark poem! I loved Lucy ( excuse the play on words)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Willow. She was a funny lady.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved Lucy! A delightful tribute to a wonderful woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was a firecracker. I can’t imagine why I’m the first to write a poem to her.
LikeLike
Incredible that your poem was the first in tribute to her. She was a force for good in the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Took another redhead in a snappy frame of mind. 🙂
LikeLike
what a nice ode to her, she who always made me laugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was hilarious. I’m glad you like my ode.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucy and Ethel…the Thelma and Louise of comedy. She was fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was a divine diva.
LikeLike
A lost past time, comedic flower, she gave us laugh lines hour by hour. There you are, Brenda, a short line of love! I’m glad you gifted her your rhymes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, Linda. Now she has two.
LikeLike
Love your tribute. Loved Lucy too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She made a lot of people laugh, which made the world a better place. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Love her. My favorite episode was when she and Ethel were crushing the grapes or the Vitameatavegimen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, yes, an awesome one. Ethel was a riot, too.
LikeLike
Ah, Lucille Ball, a comedic genius with an amazing head for business! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she knew how to get the laughs. And she made that talent into an empire.
LikeLiked by 1 person