Young at Heart: Ogden Nash taught me that courtships should be short

A reader recently mentioned that Ogden Nash was another of her favourite poets and I recalled that Mr. Nash liked to keep things short.

[See post below and comments for context]

He once wrote, "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."

Here’s my latest hit single about a courtship that lasted only as long as the couple’s first meal together. 


Don’t Call Me Late for Supper, Mabelene

1. We met at an old country store,
I packed her bags and held open the door.
She asked me how I would feel about a good home-cooked meal,
Mabelene was a peach and much more.
Her folks were away at the fair,
So we danced ‘round her room without a care.
I got lost in her eyes, and hot chicken-pot pie,
And the smell of perfume in her hair.

Don’t call me late for supper, Mabelene,
You are the sweetest girl I’ve ever seen.
You sure are good-looking and I love what you’re cooking...
Don’t call me late for supper, Mabelene.


["Be my Valentine?": Photo link]

2. We got married at sweet seventeen,
Her Mama said, “Boy, don’t treat her mean.”

I said, “You count on me” and that was 1963,
I can’t live without my Mabelene.
At home she’s in charge of the food,
When I cook it don’t taste half as good.
If Mabelene fills my plate, a big smile fills my face,
She’s the best cook in our neighbourhood.

3. Mabelene bought a book from Par-ee,
Each day she tries a French recipe.
I eat all I’m able then lean across the table,
For dessert I always kiss Mabelene.
At night I kiss both of her hands
‘Cause they taste like her strawberry jam.
She comes to no harm when I nibble on her arm,
Mabelene’s the sweetest girl in the land.

Link to Eaton Bennett's photo's here - they really fit the mood.

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Mabelene is a fair bit like my wife. We married in 1970 and are still going strong.

And she is the sweetest girl I've ever met.