acknowledgements…

… for the inspiration from the
rhymers who came before me
and the push
from the teachers who came after me…
… for my homework

 

i want to thank you, Harry¹ for the haunting songs you sing,
for the many marvels of your many lyrics & the memories they bring
i want to thank you Billy² for the music that you make
for the times it’s brought my head down easy & the time that it must take.
i want to thank you, Stephen³, for the depth of what you write,
and to John⁴ thanks for the thinking and the comfort late at night.

i want to thank you Jack Sherak⁵, for the added inspiration,
for the patience & the understanding throughout the duration.
i want to thank you Mr. Browne⁶ for giving me the drive,
for noticing the “something there” and keeping it alive.
i want to thank you Dr. Seuss for your rhythms & your rhymes,
& the list goes on & on & on & I haven’t got the time…
…they’re playing me off now…

i want to thank you Harry, I want to thank you Bill,
i want to thank you Stephen, for the extra added thrill.
many thanks to Carroll⁷ and to Milne⁸ and Nash⁹ and Lear¹⁰
you made me what i am today, and thank you, too, Shakespeare¹¹
i want to thank you Jack Sherak, thank you Mr. Browne,
i want to thank you, Dr. Seuss, i want to thank you, noun…

¹ Chapin; ² Joel; ³ Sondheim; ⁴ Lennon
^5&6Two exquisite English teachers
⁷ Lewis; ⁸ A.A.; ⁹ Ogden; ¹⁰Edward; ¹¹ Will

© 1977 kStan(ly) Lanning
photo courtesy bing.com/images
Daily Prompt – understanding