Nadine and Maybellene
their perfect names
echo down
the rockanroll airwaves
heroines in his songs
if not in his life
he led women a dance
in his songs it is they
who lead men a dance
he a brilliant writer
for all that
the first poet
of rockanroll
no dispute
there’s a photo of him
in his prime
a black French beret
above his devilishly handsome
black face
he was truly
a handsome devil
devil le mot juste
no dispute
Chuck Berry
his name then
now
he’s Chuck Beret
forever
Jeff Cloves
Chuck Berry
October 18,1926 – March 18, 2017