Frank Dux, Joe's friend across nine decades, has composed this ftantasy on the occasion of Joe's 90th:
Joe’s Birthday
A fable, a fanciful trifle
Birthdays are commonplace; they’re nothing special.
So what’s to celebrate? Joe would be special
If he got here and reached this ninetieth year
Without a day of birth. That would be queer.
And yet, there is something about you, Joe,
That could lend credence to what seems bizarre.
Your friends and family have come to know
The rare and fascinating Joe you are:
Professor Emeritus in academe,
At home collecting birthdays your set theme.
Who among us has not had from Joe
Each year that birthday greeting on the day?
His copious mind a stockroom of birthdays,
This eminent figure we have come to know.
Or do we? Could it be, not having any,
He compensated by collecting many?
And then among them did himself install,
Became this benefactor to us all.
But why the date September tenth? Why not?
Just probabilities: days drawn by lot.
Frank Dux
August 2020
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