What is in a Name?

by Michael D Nalley   Jul 2, 2009


When thou dost write, write of everything.
In his vocation Shakespeare was a king.
In his day it was hard for anyone to compete.
A rose by another name would smell as sweet.

Samuel Clemens as a young boy would dream,
Of piloting large riverboats powered by steam.
Some say that Mark Twain was not to blame,
That many people now can't remember his name.

Robert Allen Zimmerman heard folk and said that's wild.
Bob Dylan sprang from the womb singing like a demon child.
But the King of rock was here to stay and will never be forgotten.
Though he had humble start way down south in the land of cotton.

Michael Jackson never had a chance to be a child,
Until he was rich enough to go completely wild.
When you dream of things it most often leads to fame.
Yet, in the scheme of things you will never be the same.

    report violation
0


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 15 years ago

    by Lady Nik

    I really liked how you talked about the different people and their passion. Very clever and unique idea. I think the flow is great and I love the style. I think this was a wonderful piece. These people would be honored that you wrote this for them. Good work. ^.^ Nik

  • 15 years ago

    by Levi

    This is a really well penned piece and i enjoyed reading it..
    I found that it captured a timline of legends so to speak but showed that most came from humble beginings though unlike michael who was thrown into stardom so early never really had a chance to be a kid.

    You possibly could have consentrated on michael more as it was a tribute but i see where you were going with the way you wrote it..

    Good Work

  • 15 years ago

    by Jacqueline Bautista

    Wow...
    i rlly like this poem...
    it flows rlly well n shows true feelings...
    that last part about michael jackson
    was my favorite...
    well keep on writting!!
    i think you have lots of talent:)

  • 15 years ago

    by Ray Smallshaw

    I liked Michael Jackson but the original King still lives Elvis Presley.
    I look at Michael's life and wonder why he allowed himself to be swept along with all his hyp. He will know now if his life was worth while as he has stood before his maker and what we think does not really matter.
    I was not overly impressed by your introduction it at first seemed a digression from the theme or a show off of your knowledge. I then realised that perhaps you were leading to its last lines which firms your poem up and then it makes sense. so I could only score it a good as I have read better tributes, Ray S

  • 15 years ago

    by Hollow Emotion

    I loved it, this sums up so much of what ive been hearing over the last week about michael. Your right, he will never be forgotten. Your word choice was flawless, and the rhyme scheme was great.

    Great job!

Read All Comments (5)

More Poems By Michael D Nalley