“By Way of Introduction”

Every section has its purpose, An underlying "motif," one said, The only reason for this section Is its hopes of getting read. For it's the flavoring of the pudding, The mint that's sprinkled on the roast; It's the chili and the pepper, And the cinnamon on the toast. We don't want to be sarcastic, We don't want to hurt or pain; We just want to add some color To the rainbow through the rain. All we say will be in frolic, All the words are picked with care; We have tried to avoid such damage That any smile cannot repair. We may have tampered with your surname, And camouflaged your youthful lines, But this section has its purpose, To even those it now maligns. So turn these pages with a chuckle, If you can laugh that much at naught, Then you'll be happy and we'll be happy, And we'll laugh together—laugh a lot.