The three Royal Triplets 
Gave a gigantic cheer,
When the Queen said, “Yes!”
To their wishes that year.

And before very long, 
The boy and two girls
Were decorating cards 
With swishes and swirls.

They used rainbow inks 
With specks of gold dust,
Which all three agreed 
Were an absolute must!

*  *  * 


 Royal Triplets’ Surprise Party!

You’re invited May First
To the castle for a fest,
In honor or our birthday
And a very special guest!

But we’re being mum,
Not giving a clue,
So try to attend—
That guest might be you!

                         No gifts please!


*  *  *

The cards, sealed with love, 
Were delivered by hand,
And suspense soon gripped
Everyone in the land.

“A surprise party! 
 I wonder for whom?”
Said spry Mr. Hearts, 
The town’s oldest groom.

Though nearly one hundred, 
Or so he’d been told,
He loved life too much
To ever feel old.

He and his bride, 
A mere ninety-eight,
Marked May 1st in red,
And said “We can’t wait!”

John Dough, the baker, 
Decided to bake
A munchy, crunchy
 Surprise party cake.

“With oodles of whipped cream, 
Gum drops and jelly,
And plenty of sprinkles 
For everyone’s belly.”

“When I’m in the kitchen, 
I love every minute,
‘Cause I’m always first
To stick my thumb in it.”

Sir Links, the explorer, 
Said he’d come without fail,
While his shaggy dog, Sphinx, 
Winked and wiggled her tail.

Sphinx led the twosome 
Wherever they went,
Tracking by sniffing
With a nose badly bent.

And though getting lost 
Was what they did most,
The pair hoped to share
 A trophy and toast!

Countess Van Nessa, 
(Her friends call her Ness),
Was known far and wide 
As the Royal Poetess.

The poems that she wrote 
On puffy pink clouds
Brought kisses and whistles 
From large swooning crowds.

And for the royal shindig,
She vowed not to rest
‘Till she’d written a poem  
Better than all her best!

The wizard’s card came
 While in his quarters,
He’d almost made princes
For his six daffy daughters.

But something went wrong—
A step got misread—
And six bug-eyed frogs 
Became six doves instead.

“It’s cool,” said the doves,
“Cause flying’s a blast,
And come party time, 
We’ll get you there fast!”

The dog catcher’s net 
Had a hole in the middle—
But how he caught doggies 
Was really no riddle.

Stray dogs tried their best
By him to get caught,
Since all got to live 
In the mansion he’d bought.

Each sat on a chair, 
Not one had a flea,
And all of them asked, 
“Is the party for me?”

Standing on her head
when her invite came,
Lucy LaLove read each word
upside down, just the same.

Then, back on her feet,  
She stood on her toes,
A split pea balanced
On the tip of her nose.

 “This calls for a show, 
A new song and dance,”
Lucy said, her head
In its usual trance.

Guests came to the party 
Every which way!
By horse and by Harley, 
By cart, dove, and sleigh.

At the royal gate, 
Standing in single file,
The triplets winked at each guest
And gave each a big smile.

Then music began, 
And the guests had a ball,
With food, drink, and games
 For one and for all.

 “And now...” said the Triplets, 
When the sun nearly set,
“We’ll have a big show, 
Then our best surprise yet!”

Soon out came none other
 Than Lucy LaLove,
With that voice as pure
 As the angels above.

Each song Lucy sang 
Made people yell, “More.”
But each time she danced, 
They dived for the floor!

And when, all too quickly, 
Nessa arose to recite,
A swift kick from Lucy 
Flung her up like a kite!

While at the same time 
Came gruff, angry words,
“Keep your doves from my dogs!” 
“Keep your dogs from my birds!”

The wizard and catcher 
Were thick in a clash—
And then from the cake 
Came a terrible C R A S H

Up from the icing 
Peered quite a surprise:
Sir Links and his dog
With fudge-covered eyes.

“I say,” said Sir Links, 
As Sphinx tried to hide,
“Go tell the Triplets 
That we have arrived.”

“Our party’s in shambles,” 
Wailed the Triplets, all three, 
“This isn’t the way 
we meant it to be.”

“Why, it’s the best party 
We’ve ever been to,”
Said spry Mr. Hearts. 
His wife said, “It’s true.”

That made the Royal Triplets 
Share a big grin,
And say, “Then the fun 
Can really begin!”

“You see, Mr. Hearts, 
And others who wondered,
Our town records show 
Today you’re 100!”

And then, right on cue, 
All joined in to sing,
Their voices in synch
With a heart-warming ring. 

“Surprise, Mr. Hearts! 
Happy Birthday to you!
May all of your wishes 
At long last come true!”

Mr. Hearts’ tears
Rolled down each cheek,
As he hugged everyone, 
Too choked up to speak!

Soon midnight arrived,  
The moon shining bright
So each could get home
 With plenty of light.

And as they departed, 
Bound for a night’s rest
The Royal Triplets whispered
To almost each guest,

“What a great party!  
It’s been so much fun.
Let’s do it again 
When he’s 101.”

* * *

Back at the palace, 
Once tucked in their beds,
The Queen spoke softly
To three sleepyheads,

“You’re wonderful, children,
For all you did today.
What a lovely gesture
On your 13th birthday!”

The Royal Triplets winked, 
Both girls and the boy.
Making others happy
Was their own greatest joy.