Name Change

 

 

Yes, they were married

And she took his surname

But somewhere along the line

His surname was changed.

 

It wasn’t changed by much

Just by a single letter

And I suppose one could say

She was the trend setter.

 

As is the marital tradition

He gave to her his name

But some years into the marriage

She executed a change.

 

She retained his surname

But she changed his own

And the amazing thing you will see,

She did it all alone.

 

So far, this is a mystery

I have no doubt you’ll agree

But stay with me a while longer

And the full story you’ll see.

 

It appears she wore the pants

Literally and figuratively,

And, while he did not wear a frock,

He behaved quite cowardly.

 

As her husband’s wife

She took his name ‘Howard’

And for the first years of marital bliss

They were Mr. and Mrs. Howard.

 

However, there was a change

Implemented by Mrs. Howard,

A simple initial consonant change

And he became ‘Coward’.

 

Notice the drop off of Mr.,

He is no longer a man-

Once when he was manhandled

There was a change of plan.

 

 

In his quest for survival

He found it necessary to hide

And whenever licks rained down

Under the bed he’d slide.

 

‘Coward’ he was called

But this had done the trick

For he was out of harm’s way

And away from her stick.

 

From Howard to Coward;

Not a significant change

But I tell you, that marriage union,

Was significantly rearranged.

 

Changed name and status,

Maybe changed gender too,

Please ensure in your marriage

This doesn’t happen to you.

 

I am speaking to men

Whose surname is Howard,

Please be the head of your home

Or you may be called ‘Coward’.

 

 

No offence to Mr. Coward

As long as Mr. remains attached,

But to men everywhere, ensure,

There’s no jelly in your back.

 

Stewart Russell © October 7, 2023