Gershon Wolf Poet Rhyme

A Rose By Any Other

What's in a name, you say
  Is a rose still a rose by any other
And isn't 'Mom' a lot more loving
  Than calling her 'Mother' 

A name is an occupation, a means to a living
  There's Taylor and Saylor, though never a Jailor
There's Carpenter, Brickman and even Ferdman*
  Stockman and Lockman -- but as yet no Nerdman
 
A name's an ideal, a wish for Biblical greatness
  There's Moses and Aaron, David and Saul  
Esther and Mordecai, Jesus and Peter and Paul
  There's Jacob's son Joseph, his technicolor coat  
All the rest of his sons ~ Abraham, Martin and John** 

Let us come full circle and return to our Rose
  There are flowers like Camelia and Amelia Bedelia***
There's Dahlia and Zinnia, Blossom and Bluebell  
  Jasmine, Yasmina, Violet, Daisy, Hazel and Surapon****

Though all of these names are so pretty, so nice
  My two favorite names are 'Sugar and Spice'


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* 'Ferdman' means 'Horse Man'
** 'Abraham, Martin and John' was the name of a Top-10 pop hit, recorded
     by Dion DiMucci in 1968
*** Amelia Bedelia is the slightly wacky heroine of a children's book series
****Surapon sneaked in here because I needed a rhyme. The name has
       nothing to do with a flower.  It is a male name. I know a Surapon who
       is an ESL student from Thailand at the University of the Potomac. 
       His name means 'brave warrior,' (I think)... Oh, well. What's in a name?...

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Curtis Moorman February 5, 2019 at 7:20 PM Gershon, what a pleasant read this has been for me. I am not a master gardener but I do have plants and trees gracing my yard (all 3 acres of it) and it keeps me busy taking care of them. It is, however, a very rewarding "hobby". Since God saw fit to create them all, why should I not cultivate some for the beauty of the beholder. Thanks, and FYI, roses have sounds. Take a look at my poem, The Sounds Of A Rose, if you care to. Blessings --- Curtis Gershon Wolf February 5, 2019 at 8:27 PM Thank you so much, Curtis, and I'll surely look at your poem, 'The Sounds of a Rose,' as soon as I click on the Submit button for this reply! ~ gw

Paul Callus February 2, 2019 at 6:33 AM I have been entertained, Gershon:) Thank you for being a bright beam in an otherwise gloomy day:) Regards // paul Gershon Wolf February 2, 2019 at 11:31 PM May the gloom be permanently dispelled, Paul! Thanks and best wishes, Gershon

Caren Krutsinger February 1, 2019 at 9:10 PM I like this poem so much. I read the book Chrysanthemum to the class today, and there were all kinds of flower names in that book. It is strange but sometimes we as teachers will hear a particular name and cringe, usually not the flowers though. Liked your ending a lot! Gershon Wolf February 2, 2019 at 11:30 PM Thank you for mentioning 'Chrysanthemum?' How could I leave that one out. Glad you included it for me, Caren! :)

P.S. Awtry February 1, 2019 at 4:26 PM This made me chuckle more than once! That is a few places in the poem and each time I read it! You are blessed with boundless wit! Gershon Wolf February 2, 2019 at 11:29 PM What can I say? -- Just that I can't thank you enough for your encouragement and support, P.S. It is always and deeply appreciated. Best wishes, Gershon

Tom Cunningham February 1, 2019 at 4:29 AM Never thought of it like that , thought provoking for sure. Just off for dinner in Chicago ! Tom Gershon Wolf February 1, 2019 at 1:15 PM Ha, ha. I took your last line literally, and was going to ask you where you dined! Can you believe it. They didn't call me 'Simple Wolf' back in the day for nothing! Thanks, Tom! ~ Gershon

Jan Allison February 1, 2019 at 2:52 AM what a charming and fun poem Gershon:-) hugs Jan xx Gershon Wolf February 1, 2019 at 1:17 PM Glad you thought so, Jan, and thanks for the helpful feedback. Best wishes, Gershon

M. L. Kiser January 31, 2019 at 11:13 PM I'm fascinated by numerology; there's a lot more in a name than most people can imagine! I enjoyed this piece, Gershon. M. L. Kiser February 2, 2019 at 5:08 PM Gematria...yes but, I'm still learning. Gershon Wolf February 1, 2019 at 1:18 PM Me, too. (Fascinated by numerology). Ever look into 'gematria?' … Thanks for the support and your kind words, M.L. Best wishes, Gershon

Alexis Y. January 31, 2019 at 10:55 PM WoW! Gershon, You've penned a good piece about the importance of a name. I prefer being called "mom" however sometimes my kids call me mother. Great rhymes and content. Excellent job:-) Alexis Gershon Wolf January 31, 2019 at 11:02 PM Alexis, thank you so much for the feedback! You are spurring me onward, though not necessarily upward... If you're still awake, catch the one I just posted, 'At dinner in Chicago in January.' If not, you'll have to wait 'till February, I guess... :)