Thanks for the poetic compliment, Amos. I appreciate that, especially coming from a songwriter such as yourself! I'll have to look you up when I'm in So. CA this spring to see family. I don't know if this is in the proposed format, but I'm having fun writing.

Little Lettie liked Lyle; little Lettie loved him.
Little Lettie liked Lyle, and put no one above him.

Lyle liked little Lettie, too, as much as any other;
But no woman did Lyle love, other than his mother.

Little Lettie said to Lyle "When can we be married?
And start our own family-oh, let us no more tarry!"

Lyle to little Lettie said "Dear, I cannot answer.
For while my dear old mother lives, I dare not look askance, Dear!"

Lettie said to Lyle "Why, be you man or mouse, sir?
If you won't wed while your mother lives, I'll never have my house, sir!"

Lyle to little Lettie said "Please be patient, Dearie.
If I but mention a lass to Mum, she becomes quite teary!"

Little Lettie said to Lyle "I fear I need some aid, Sir.
If I must wait for Mumsy's death, I'll be quite an old maid, Sir!

Your mum has twisted you, kind sir, around her little finger.
And if I wait for you, my dear, I'll never get my ring, sir!"

Little Lettie left her Lyle, and went quite far away, Sir.
She got a job and bought a home, and lives there till this day, sir.