I joined the Ever-So-Secret Order of the Lamprey
in July of 2001. The "Order" meets on Sunday evenings for show and tell
on a theme chosen the week before -- a word on which each member is asked
to create or perform something. For my first meeting, I decided to reach
back into my memory of a truly creative children's program on ABC-TV.
"Make a Wish" featured
Tom Chapin, brother of the late Harry Chapin, each week singing and speaking
a free-association on a word. The scripts were written by the show's producer,
Lester Cooper, with whom I once corresponded. (He sent me a charming note
and a script for the episode on "Apple.")
I don't know whatever became of Cooper or Chapin, but the memory of the
program, as defective as my memory may be, inspired by first Lamprey poem,
"Corn." It was so well received, I decided to pay tribute to the style
of "Make a Wish" the next week, and each week thereafter. As I complete
and perform each poem, I will add it to this page.