Franklin T Cohn

A legend in his own time

I just received this morning, some devastating news;
A great man Tuesday passed away, whom so many loved so true!
He was a legend in his own time, a paragon for us all;
Although short in measured inches, he stood so very tall!
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The last time that I saw him, was at their sixtieth Anniversary;
He was with the woman who was his Soulmate, his beloved Natalie!
It was Shabbat dinner at the Temple, they held each other very tight;
Their love intoxicating, we toasted them all night!
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I’ve known both of them six decades, Natalie from our high school;
And Frank I met through my Father, I thought he was so cool!
Then for over half a century, our paths went different ways;
Until two years ago, I moved back to Dayton, and experienced a glorious day!
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Linda and I were visiting, my parent’s burial plots;
When a car parked right behind us, and an old friend did I spot!
It was Frank, visiting before a bike ride, of twenty-five long miles;
As usual, his face shining with, it’s most infectious smile!
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In over fifty years since I’d last seen him, he had not changed a bit;
Full of contagious confidence, still saturated with his wit!
He told us he was still traveling, a salesman like few known;
A furniture aficionado, was Mr. Franklin T Cohn!
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Soon Linda and I joined Temple Israel, we did dinners on Shabbat;
Before services, Frank and I would tell jokes, we both would laugh a lot!
I thought he was remarkable, that he’d be a Centaurian  for sure;
Yet now, too early he has left us, the pain we try endure!
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Today I honor him with this poem, the man I’ll e’er admire;
My tears fall for my hero, whom too early has expired!
I will present this ode to Natalie, hoping to alleviate some pain;
I will hold her very closely, as our tears both fall like rain!
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Our Dearest Franklin
You were one in a million
We e’er will love you