Gail Shaw Burlakoff

Alice and Andy Gail Shaw Burlakoff

When Gail Shaw was three she picked up her cat, gathered some words, put on a big hat. Starting with little words, she soon added big ones, Playing with rhyming words and zig-zaggy-zig ones. The words were like music--and she grew and she sang Until she was grown up, with yin and with yang. She married, had children, and moved more than twice And thought now and then that a poem would be nice- A silly poem, one with a sister and brother who might live on their own without father and mother. They'd have some adventures. Perhaps an odd aunt? And maybe some big words that children could flaunt! She wrote it all out, called it "Alice & Andy," And put it away in a box that was handy. It stayed in that box for some 45 years Until one day she found it and cried happy tears. Her children have children and Gail's now quite old (approaching her 80th birthday, I'm told!) Her last name's now Burlakoff, and she's still three inside with the music of words and their rhythm, her guide. She still plays with words and carries a cat But lost the big hat long ago. And that's that! Thanks to so many, both family and friends, Alice and Andy have come to good ends. Eduardo and Deborah's great illustrations capture the spirit. My congratulations! This is my gift to you and your gift to me And I am as happy as happy can be!