Lobster Boys

By John I. Blair

I remember well the day of lobster boys
When Joe and Chris went swimming in the lake;
Pain and tears can come from summer joys.

They went down to the lakeside with their toys,
Loaded with just as many as they could take.
(I remember well the day of lobster boys.)

For kids that age a dad’s advice annoys,
So they didn’t listen when I said “You’ll bake;
Pain and tears can come from summer joys!

Sunburn soon vacation fun alloys.
Will you put on your shirts, for pity’s sake?”
I remember well the day of lobster boys.

It’s hard with blistered skin to keep one’s poise.
They tried to sleep but lay there wide awake.
(Pain and tears can come from summer joys.)

Their woeful cries were making such a noise!
(They both looked like they’d been burned at the stake.)
I remember well the day of lobster boys;
Pain and tears can come from summer joys.

John I. Blair, 3/18/2002
©2002 John I. Blair

Author's note: This is an example of the Villanelle form of poem,
written here for comic effect, I hope.