April is National Poetry Month. It's also the month many New York elementary schools hold benefit auctions to raise money. Inspired by both events, I composed a poem (much in the tradition of Robert Service, my late father's most beloved balladeer) designed to stir the soul of any parent who ever left a school auction carrying a heavy load after an evening of enthusiastic bidding. Feel free to carry this with you on Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 26.

I got an invitation from the folks at PS 3*

to attend the yearly auction and extend some charity.

I pictured a dry evening at a nondescript bazaar.

Then I beheld a lovely sight: the auction’s open bar!

Next morning, as I tried to soothe the pounding in my head,

I spied a formal document, and this is what it said:

“Your winning silent bids have helped our school an awful lot.

We thank you for your purchases. Now, this is what you bought:

A three-night stay at Ed’s Chalet located near Lake Placid.

A thorough urinalysis of your nucleic acid.

A week at camp. A neon lamp. A rug that’s Oriental.

A round-trip fare to anywhere that’s served by Continental.

An expert consultation to make closets clean and tidy.

A seven-course bonanza at a Bronx TGIFriday.

A wheel of cheese. Five DVDs. Fine wool from Colorado.

Some collard greens and Boston beans. A Spanish avocado.

A ruby ring. A turkey wing. An ancient Chinese bucket.

Some Danish clogs. A scarf from Prague. Two lobsters from Nantucket.

A travel guide. A lantern slide. A chance to see ‘The View.’

A bowler hat. A cricket bat. An outrigger canoe.

A cotton towel. A great horned owl. Fresh corn from Oklahoma.

A Rolex watch. Some homemade scotch. A test for melanoma.

A two-book set on etiquette called ‘What to Tip the Doormen.’

Four tickets plus a chartered bus to see ‘The Book of Mormon.’

A ball of twine. Australian wine. CDs by Justin Bieber.

A scholarly translation of the German ‘Ach du Lieber.’

Two tickets to a matinee that’s showing ‘Mama Mia.’

An in-home test in case you’re stressed that you have gonorrhea.”

My aching head filled up with dread as I read off my tally:

A ballet class. A highball glass. A postcard from Death Valley.

A novel signed by Gertrude Stein. A coat by London Fog.

A weekend at somebody’s house somewhere out near East Quogue.

“This now concludes your purchases,” I read with great relief.

But then I saw a second line, and stared in disbelief.

It seems I’d raised my paddle when they sought a contribution

for items meant to elevate this fine old institution.

I’d bought some new gymnastics mats. I’d bought some spelling books.

I’d paid for nonstick bakeware to be used by lunchroom cooks.

I’d started an endowment for the school’s new marching band.

When all was done, I guess I must have shelled out twenty grand.

“Oh well,” I said, and rubbed my head. “It all goes for the school.”

Then I beheld the final line, and felt like such a fool.

“Next year, we know we’ll see you at our benefit affair.

And we are cheered you volunteered to be the auction chair!”

* Not really. I just needed a number to rhyme with "charity."