So Many Joes

by jr paruolo
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there were so many Joes
in our family of uncles, aunts, and cousins
in order to keep things straight
we were all given nicknames

there was
Big Joe, my uncle - married to Dolly
Little Joe, my cousin
Baby Joe - (Me)
Ginny's Joe - married to the youngest sister
Pat's Joe - my father

and if someone called out Joe
and neglected to use
the appropriate nickname
they were usually met with a collective chorus of - "Which one?"

and if all of the joes were in a humorous mood
they would make a classic three-stooges entrance
wedging themselves in the doorway
as they tried to pass through all at once

back in those days
all of the joes loved the 3 stooges
all of the joes had great senses of humor
all the joes were good old joes

where have those day's gone?
where are those joes?