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