For S.V.O. boys,

the Merry-Go-Round

was a favorite place to be,

in the early evening

on summer days.

But a few yards

from the vegetable garden,

boys, sitting or standing,

lined its five sides.

With peals of delight,

they'd pump the ride

until it wildly dipped and whirled

round and round about.

And with mischievous eyes,

on the vegetable garden,

they'd sing

to the tune

of "Clementine":

"In the garden,

in the garden,

in the garden swipin' pears,

in the garden,

in the garden,

in the garden swipin' pears.

(February 21, 2001)