by the violence in Las Vegas and the unwillingness in this country to prevent it.

But, continuing on in my narrow version of existence—I'm going back to the topic of memorizing poetry...

Things have become competitive here in seeing who can get Guest down first. (I have to admit that the "poem" is repetitive, and that makes memorizing hard.) Hard is good though, and the brain is a muscle, so it might be good to think of memorizing as a visit to a fitness center. Here's a good article on the joys of memorization: Got Poetry?

And here is another possible subject in case Edward Guest is not your cup of tea. (More choices to come.)

If Little Red Riding Hood
by Jeff Moss

If Little Red Riding Hood had a dad,
Perhaps things wouldn't have turned out so bad.
He'd have taught her the useful things a dad can teach you,
Like the difference between Grandma and a wolf who'll eat you.

He'd have brought her two photographs to let her see
How completely different two things can be.
He'd show her a picture of his kindly old mother,
And say, "Grandma's one thing. A wolf is another.

Grandma wants to hug you and give you a kiss.
A wolf wants to eat you, and he looks like this—
Big teeth, big ears, and plenty of fur.
Now look at your grandma, does a wolf look like her?

Your report card was great, I know you're smart,
So it shouldn't be hard to tell them apart.
Now, please get to Grandma's before it gets dark,
Don't go through the forest, stay out of the park.

Don't stop to talk to any wolves you meet,
And don't wear that red thing when you walk down the street. "