Saturday, November 08, 2014

November 8

Happy Birthday Esther Rolle

In Pompano Beach she was born
Where the summers are humid and warm
And where tropical winds
Rid the trees of their limbs
And where scanty bikinis are worn

She had 17 sisters and brothers
Her folks hardly ever used rubbers
When having relations
For lengthy durations
Both over and under the covers

Esther went to New York for auditions
For various Broadway renditions
And she landed some parts
With her talent and smarts
Under difficult racial conditions

Later on she found work on TV
Where she always had wanted to be
A series named Maude
Starred a crusty old broad
As her maid, Esther Rolle served her tea

Then on Good Times she also appeared
Where she totally charmed and endeared
As a wife and a Mom
Who was witty and strong
With a son who was skinny and weird

She worked in some films after that
Showing off her congenital knack
As an actor of note
With a wide ranging scope
In the era of Anwar Sadat

Esther died years ago in L.A.
But in reruns is seen to this day
So her image remains
Etched in millions of brains
Where she’ll never out-welcome her stay

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