(au-GUST: distinguished)
By Janice Surlin
THE “DOG DAYS” OF SUMMER:
JULY 3 TO AUGUST 11
Below you’ll see some prominent folks,
Who this month had a natal date,
Their achievements in science, music,
Movies and writing
Are left for us to recall and appreciate . . .
But, first let’s sing:
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,”
A very unusual word—
If not for August 1964,
One you never would have heard!
As magical “Mary Poppins,”
Julie Andrews floated onto the screen—
Endearing, enchanting, entertaining,
A nanny like no one had ever seen!
Called the founding father of American cinema,
Two legendary movies that he made:
“The Ten Commandments” and “Cleopatra,”
A penchant for spectacular epics,
He certainly displayed!
From 1914 to ‘58 he created 70 films
Which brought him lasting fame—
The first to direct crowds
And give actors screen credit,
Cecil B. DeMille, this movie maker’s name!
(1881-1959; his father was an Episcopalian minister who
read Bible stories to young DeMille, providing
ideas for his blockbuster movies.)
A lady with sardonic wit,
A poet, satirist, critic . . .
Of 20th century’s foibles,
She was caustically analytic:
“Their pooled emotions wouldn’t fill a spoon,”
A “bon mot” with a pencil-point thrust–
She even made sure she’d have the last word,
With her epitaph, “Excuse my dust!”
(Dorothy Parker: 1893-1967; a strong social justice
and civil rights activist, she left her entire estate to
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation, and then
to the NAACP when King was assassinated.)
Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,”
It became the musical “Westside Story,”
Leonard Bernstein composing the music,
(Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics starting his fame and glory);
Bernstein, a supremely talented musician,
One of the finest conductors in American music history—
A composer, pianist, author, lecturer,
His great contribution to music is not a mystery!
(1918-1990; he was among the first conductors
born and educated in the U.S. to receive worldwide acclaim.)
The Mitchell moon crater is named for her,
A scientist who to many of us is not known—
The first female American astronomer,
Interest in this field at an early age she had shown;
At 29, in 1847, her discovery of a new comet orbit,
In the scientific world brought her just recognition—
The next year, to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,
She was the first woman elected, in addition;
One of 10 children in a Massachusetts Quaker family,
Her parents believed girls should have an equal education—
In 1865 when she became professor of astronomy at Vassar,
She asked for and was granted the same salary
As a male professor—to women a great inspiration;
At Vassar she had access to a 12-inch telescope,
The third largest in the U.S.A.—
She specialized in studying the surfaces of Jupiter and Saturn,
And is remembered for supporting women’s issues still today!
(Maria Mitchell: 1818-1889; The Maria Mitchell Association,
established in 2007, continues her commitment to education.)
Life didn’t start well in New Orleans,
When he was born into stark poverty—
His father abandoning his mother and him,
He was welcomed into the Karnofsky family:
Lithuanian Jewish immigrants, they treated him as their own—
They fed him, and he worked at odd jobs to earn pay,
Helping him buy his first cornet as a kid,
In lifelong gratitude for all of their kindness,
A Star of David he wore every day;
With his passion for music Louis Armstrong became,
A trumpeter, composer, singer, actor,
A personal favorite, his recording, “What A Wonderful World,”
Written for him since he brought the races together,
A wonderful, distinguishing factor!
(1901-1971; this famous American trumpeter, known as
“Satchmo,” was among the most influential figures in jazz.)
There are many more people but with these two I’ll stop,
At the first one here comes a quick look—
This lady liked wishing us “bon appétit,”
On T.V. teaching French food how to cook;
The other a famous red head,
Starring with Cuban hubby on early T.V.—
Known for her whacky comedic performance,
She began as a model and actress in the movie industry.
(Julia Child: 1912-2004; Lucille Ball: 1911-1989.)
What they all seem to have in common,
Traits often in people who this month are born—
Creative, charismatic, organized,
With confidence galore—
Standing in the spotlight,
They are not apt to scorn;
They’re a Leo or a Virgo and like to take the lead—
In developing their talents, they are not hesitant
To persevere to reach the top,
Including four United States presidents!
(Benjamin Harrison, Lyndon B. Johnson,
Bill Clinton. Barack Obama)
If anyone reading has an August birthday too,
I express my best wishes to each one of you!
