Mad Cow Disease, revised

   by Marilyn Jaeger

       (I really meant this as a joke, but Dick thought it was far too negative an ending...)

Grandma  J took the girls out awalking

In a red wagon, they fit oh so fine.

Up Sawmill Road, back through the green fields

Finally bumping ‘cross corn in a line.

Molly was four, and Lia just two

Wide-eyed and precious as gold.

Mom and Dad Potter, gone on a date

With Grandma in charge, safe, we’re told!

Of course the bumping soon brought a spill.

No problem, and the little girls giggled.

Small problem, the field was full of manure,

So into a suds bath they wiggled.

Now years later we always can wonder:

Were there really latent effects?

Mad cow disease?  Can that be their excuse?

If ever met with less than success?

Two teens, achievers, lights in our sky,

Expanding their learning wide.

Even failure is a teacher, sometimes the best kind,

But no mad cow we will ever abide!