When Names Escape

Mary knew John before you
Who knew Jane before Sam
Obviously there was Sally, Melvin and Tim
The Tim who wore glasses 
Since the other Tim did not

The brother of Mary, who's name escapes me
Visited John's mother yesterday with Tim
Mom was not in so they left together
A day like no other day is a day without mom

Dad lived in Spain without mom
Sally and Melvin were not invited as well
Someone who spoke Spanish stayed behind
Juanita or Junia or something like that explained
Names are too long and forgettable in Spain

Sister never heard of Mary before John arrived
Jane didn't care for money only property
Ben came before her birth, before the time of Pan
According to legend, Ben should have never been born 
Lost pagans and anti-biblical names prevailed with him
Ben was assigned an alternate name, that would be Tim
Not the Tim with or without glasses but another
Tim 3 will do for now as a designated nomenclature

To avoid confusion, there was Mary, first executrix
John came second, than Sam, then Melvin, Tim 1
Tim 2, Tim 3, (a/k/a Ben) and so on down the loins of lineage
Mistakes abounded with each generation
Mary's brother remains a mystery to this day

Of all the signatures of people, witnesses and sources 
The will would be challenged not by names but faces
Ben was too complicated for lawyers
Too confusing to absorb
Tim 3 would have to sign for family members
John and Mary but not Sam or dad or mom
(Out of town forever) Amended
They are found on pages five through ten
Which will remain unmentioned here 
Since they came before  the time of Pan as well

Remember to name the baby something different
Something other than Tim or Ben when dividing land
Splitting hairs on who is there and what is fare
When time comes around again to settle
When names escape you
When dividing real estate
Remember who you are
Thank God you are not them

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017



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Date: 5/5/2017 12:07:00 PM
I can really relate to the final stnza:-( Been there done that and its torn our family apart Earl:-( hugs jan xx
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Earl Schumacker
Date: 5/5/2017 3:10:00 PM
Hi Jan. It is so good to hear from you. This is one of my more strange ones. I'm surprised you got it. If anyone should get it it would be you. You seem to have a propensity to understand the oddity of my works. I hope all is good with you. Have a wonderful week end. Take care. Earl
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