Fifty
years ago I met Danny Lee Smith, aka: Dan’s Myth. We were psychiatric
teacher-counselors, teammates at Cumberland House School in Nashville, a
Re-Ed program for children (5 to 15 years of age) who had been
diagnosed with emotional disturbance.
On January the 16th at 8:15 pm Dan peacefully died, surrounded by his family.
Dan
was an extraordinary human being – an amazing father, an insightful,
gifted and creative artist, teacher, counselor, musician, writer and
author. This past Saturday,
his son (Sam Smith) hosted a celebration of his father's remarkable
life. Unfortunately, an infectious virus attacked my body and I was
unable to attend the gathering of his family and friends.
The following is a poem I wrote for the occasion:
Dan’s Myth
Dan’s Myth grew from an intensive
Romance with his innovative
And creative mind,
Seeking to define
And dance with the imaginative.
With word and wood and tossed-debris
He blurred the absurd to such a degree,
Creating a treasure
Of aesthetic pleasure
It could be understood completely.
Never devout . . . It is – what it ain’t!
Forever about the playfully quaint,
Mystical and unique,
A whimsical mystique,
Whether with or without canvas and paint.
So, let us recall, no need to dispel.
Though not too tall, it’s a mighty tale,
With a novel motif
Almost beyond belief.
Yet, he lived it all and he lived it well.
By Dee Newman
If you would like to know more about Dan's Myth here is his Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/dans.myth.92
