Best Song Lyriceducation Poems
Dane, “Little Dane” was my precious birth name.
And I dearly loved my grandma who was also named, Dane.
Naturally, at times, by mistake, folks said, “Jane.”
Each time, “Dane…like a Great-Dane” rectification came.
After many years searching genealogy, I discovered.
No boys, but girls had great-grandfather Dane’s name.
Naturally, surprised, proud of the name just the same.
Adding Ann with no E…to me, Dane Ann, was conferred.
Corrections were often needed; I could count on fun, too.
Opportunities for attention ah, rapping at my name’s door.
Over the years, receiving Mr. Dane mail I did not adore.
Laughed loud when I was drafted, no girls, then, I knew.
Now that joke was on me; I reported the mistake.
And before I left for home, a dotted line I did see.
My, the Army sounds great…an education for me!
Events made me shake; the war made me quake.
My name is Dane, not Jane, not “Puddin’-n-tane”
It is not, James, John, or Penny-whinney-jinxsaw!
Not Sally or Sue, but a life-name with no flaw.
Easy to spell; it's for boys, and for me, D-A-N-E, Dane.
© February 16, 2011
Dane Smith-Johnsen
An acrostic poem written in “Enclosed Rhyme”