A Dead Man’s Name

John[ny] Richard Duncan (Oct. 5, 1938- Aug. 14, 2006)

“She can put her shoes under my bed any time.”*

Death is the  greatest bearer of peace of mind.

Ghosts don’t whisper and shake my bed.

The living causes more problems than the dead!

Twain’s note had a tone of exasperation.

Twain wrote: “This report of my death was an exaggeration.”**

No! No! It’s definitely not true !

Reports of my demise are premature.

The e-mail seemed plain and ordinary.

But, it contained Johnny Duncan’s obituary.

Like an insatiable wild fire, the word spread

Around “Music Town” that Duncan was dead.

You may think this poem is funny.

But, it’s hard not being just another dead Johnny!

I don’t know how to begin to explain

Why a live Black man has a dead, White man’s name.

I thought I was over the dead-man-name curse.

 I “Googled” johnny duncan & came across another verse.

Cuz Lila was apparently a country-western fan,

Who wrote, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHNNY DUNCAN”.***

I am not conceited and all uptight.

I can’t recite Cuz Lila’s poem because of copyright.

Not soon I hope, but in due time,

 Another Johnny will write another Johnny rhyme.

Between the living and dead is a buffer.

The Duncan Family motto is, “Learn to suffer.”****

If and after you read this composition,

Google your name and state your position.

Now, I understand Mark Twain’s frustration:

“This report of my death was an exaggeration.”

*The title of a song by Country Western star Johnny Duncan

**Verbatim excerpt from Mark Twain’s 1897 letter to Frank E. Bliss

***Google “Happy Birthday to Johnny Duncan” to read the poem

****”Disce pati” is the Duncan Klan motto.

© Ides of March 2011