Tribute To Kemal Amin Kasem, Also Known As Casey Kasem
Perhaps being something of a contrarian and historian
I like to spend Sunday mornings playing American Top Forty reruns on the oldies station
because I enjoy the songs and stories related to me by Kemal Amin Kasem
Also known as Casey Kasem in his weekly broadcasts
He researches and answers questions I suspect nobody really asked.
Why in the biblical land down under
would anyone on this earth even wonder,
then spend so much as a minute to write a letter, and then spend a stamp to ask so they know,
“Which sibling Dutch trio has been on the Top Forty for the most weeks in a row?”
Who cares?
According to Casey, Brenda in Oregon cares.
I’m completely certain he’s lying, and I dare call shenanigans on that. Everyone knows she never cared; I declare it a fact that she’s not even a real person except on the air.
But I do enjoy the stories, and I don’t fault him for making up reasons to tell them to everyone,
such as an imaginary prompt from Brenda in Oregon
It is, after all, far less awkward that way,
And I can certainly relate,
For I, too, have a lot to say, and sadly nobody pauses to ask me about what I think or know
But that doesn’t stop me from contemplating responses to give if anyone ever asks, even if they probably won’t.
He is proof that I, too, may get someone to listen to me
Even if the audience is sometimes simply imaginary.
If I believe in the oddly curious, albeit made-up Brenda in Oregon as a beleaguered velveteen rabbit,
A reason to keep telling stories churned up from my weird inquiring habits
Maybe, like his, my mind’s audience will make itself real
maybe one day someone will care what I think and feel.
Even if he’s not here anymore I strive, as reminded in reruns each week, that no matter where we are from and who we are,
We must keep our feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars, and hope nobody cares we’re all a little bit of a liar.
Copyright © Amy Sell | Year Posted 2018
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