H. HAYWARD HIRSCH
R.I.P.

   It’s Captain Hayward with his hearty voice,

   A “Ho-ho-ho,” like Santa’s or Popeye’s—
   “Where shall we go to dinner?  It’s your choice,
   Though if you say ‘Too-Jays,’ that’s no surprise.”

   He’d sailed in both the oceans in the War,
   His ships strafed and torpedoed hideously,
   Killing his hapless sailors by the score
   In scenes he dreamed thereafter, miserably.

   Successful later as a financier,
   He afterward retired to Florida
   Yet had a covert CIA career
   In the Far East, in Thailand and Burma.

        He’d other secrets, too, we learned in time,
        Though it’s his kindness that’s most fit for rhyme.

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