[image: deviantart.com]

For Frank

One hundred years ago
A lad from Hoboken broke
Upon the scene
And the world has not been the
Same since.
With only a skinny frame
Street smarts
A set of pipes
And impeccable timing
He took the world
And a “gang of angels”
For a fantasy ride.

And what a ride it was:
From Chicago to New York
And all along the Strip
He redefined who we are
What is cool
And what ain’t.

He took us to the moon
And way down lovers lane
He knew the difference
Between a broad a dame
A lady and a tramp
And he treated each with
Respect.
He loved them all.

He remade the American Songbook
And gave it to lovers
Still he did it his way.
And for those of us who ever felt
Heartache
Especially in the wee small hours
Of the morning—
That’s when we miss him
Most of all.