Questions and Answers

In a few days, October 24th to be exact, marks the 75th anniversary of  GertrudeandAlice’s arrival in New York City for the beginning of their six-month U.S. lecture tour.  I’ve mentioned the tour several times in previous posts, so instead of rehashing some of the details again, I thought I’d present the tour in verse.

Though initially a Berlin-based, Baby Boomer, two of the icons of my Illinois childhood were Captain Kangaroo and Dr. Seuss.  I wanted to be Captain Kangaroo when I grew up and wanted to write books like Dr. Seuss.

One of the things that The Captain often did on his television show was to read a picture book, paging through the book as he read as if  you were on his lap and he was reading to you.  I don’t remember if Bunny Rabbit or Mr. Moose took part – certainly not Grandfather Clock who was undoubtedly asleep.

So, several years ago I began a series of stories about GertrudeandAlice with an eye toward The Captain reading them and Dr. Seuss politely giving a nod of approval to my rhyming efforts.  Each story incorporates actual historic facts about their lives though liberties are taken with the rhyming scheme. (For anyone who remembers scanning poems in English class, the meter in some of these stanzas is not perfect.)

Let the tour begin!

GERTRUDEANDALICE AND AMERICA

In a large flat in Paris, that’s well-known to this day,
Lived two ladies who’d moved from the U. S. of A.
This pair, GertrudeandAlice, loved their paintings a lot,
And the works of Picasso were especially hot!

One morning or closer to noon, on that rue,
While having their tea and some treats with a view,
Alice said in a tone that was firm and sincere,
“We must pack for a trip, ‘cross the ocean, my dear.

You know that it’s time to again see the States,
I think that an awe-filled new land there awaits.
Your ‘Alice’ bestseller has opened new doors,
We’ve people to see, some great and some bores!”

“Dear Pussy, dear Pussy you do pull no punches,
And you are so precise with your latest hunches.
It is thirty quick years more or less, it is true
Since we each saw the States and they saw me and you.”

So a plan was begun, suits were ordered in France,
(Though now in the States some ‘new’ women wore pants.)
The lectures and teas were arranged for Miss Stein,
With guest lists of 500, ‘no more please, that is fine.’

Most things were in order, but a question arose,
“Don’t they eat different there, some odd things, I suppose?”
A friend sent them a menu from a place in New York,
“Looks just fine to me Pussy, I see oysters and pork.”

Soon they boarded a ship, the Champlain was its name,
And they met crowds of people who had heard of their fame.
But the Big Apple’s welcome was more grand than could be,
“See Alice dear, dear the reporters are all waving at me!”

“Miss Stein, oh Miss Stein, say a sentence complete,
We’ve heard much of you and the words you repeat.”
“I may repeat words, repeat words till the end,
But they’re never the same words, the same words my friend.”

The lectures began in the East and went well,
So they planned to come back for a bit longer spell.
At schools students had questions and were put to the test,
But left feeling quite smart, then the tour headed west.

Their first ride in a plane proved for both so sublime.
“But Lovey, dear Lovey, you’re sure that all’s fine?”
Down below from the plane through the wispy-cloud air,
It looked like their art from a way, way up there.

“You see through the mist, Pablo’s shapes in his style!”
Miss Stein loudly exclaimed, gave a laugh, then a smile.
“Yes, I see them too dear, this is really such fun,
Let’s tour all of the States from these seats near the sun.”

Big city Chicago offered lots to explore,
In the theater 4 Saints in 3 Acts and much more.
Since she fancied the gangsters, Gertrude asked for a ride,
In a cop car with siren and patrolmen inside.

Back East Eleanor R. gave a tea for the two,
FDR was not there  –  had a cold or the flu.
Trips South were a joy with New Orleans a treat,
And at every new stop there was plenty to eat.

One morning, not sure just where in the Land,
Miss T. looked a bit sad, the week’s schedule in hand.
“Next we tour California with much there to do,
Are we ready for faces and places we knew?”

“Why Paris is home though our roots may be here
So on with this trip, we have nothing to fear!”
The Hollywood stars came with stories to share
With these ladies whose fame was now beyond compare.

In San Francisco they got the city’s gold key,
And in Oakland for Gertrude there was no there there to see.
All the lectures went well, all the papers kept track,
And soon it was time for the two to head back.

From a New York hotel where the tour had begun
Were Gertrude and Alice recalling their fun.
“You know Lovey, it’s over, our trip is complete,
We’ve criss-crossed the country by air and by feet.”

“Yes Pussy, we’re through and you know I must say
That I hadn’t expected such a welcoming stay.
Back to Basket, to Pablo, to rue de Fleurus,
It’s time for a break, time to loosen these shoes!”

When packing was done Alice gave a big wink,
Then walked over to Gertrude, “You know what I think?
Our trip to America was no trip to the past,
It’s a trip of new memories that always will last.”

“That’s it dear Pussy, you’re so right, so concise,
Who we saw, what we saw, makes our life oh, so nice.”
Back in Paris old friends, art and dogs filled the bill,
But the trip to the States was forever a thrill.

In a large flat in Paris that’s well-known to this day,
Lived two ladies who’d moved from the U. S. of A.
This pair, LoveyandPussy, what to say as a close?
It’s because of these two that a rose is a rose…!

“And that’s that.”

Said the cat in the hat!

© Hans Gallas 2009

Tagged Captain Kangaroo, Dr. Seuss, Pablo Picasso, SS Champlain