The Bet Poem by JoAnn McGrath

Here's a story from my past.
It was my first born son to come at last.
It was tradition in my husband's family,
that a bet be placed on the birth of the baby.

Each one would pick a square.
Write down the date, weight and sex there.
And whom ever guessed closest won the prize.
Collecting the money of a good size.

So days turned into weeks,
as the story here becomes unique.
You see my husband's tiny Aunt
(all of 4ft 3in in stance)
Stood there telling us one day.
'You better not have that baby on April Fool's Day.'

Well the blessed day came near.
When giving birth soon was very clear.
He wasn't due for two more weeks,
but the contractions started and they peaked.

So yes he was born on April Fool's Day
And the Aunt was filled with wondering dismay.
My mom won the bet of course.
She said it was because she knew the horse.


(29 May 2007)