“Testimonial”
by Harry Newman Jr.
You are cordially invited
To attend, at $100 a plate
A testimonial to those
Who have devoted their lives
Unstintingly
Unselfishly
To the humanitarian purpose
Of making money
No sacrifice too great
No relationship too dear
To accumulate enough
To afford the luxury
Of giving it away
In some worthy cause
Of other.
Just listen to that applause
From the thousand or more
Gathered here in tribute,
Black tied, bejeweled,
Pledging their allegiance
To the honorees and
To the secret hope
That one such memorable night
They too might step
Into the blue-white shaft
And receive their plaque.