His teacher said
he would never learn music
but that was before he changed
his name to Les Paul.
He transformed himself
into the greatest musical innovator
of the 20th century
redefining recording and rock,
creating the instrument
and the language
that many continue to use.

Paul built the structures
around which
we all listen
and continued building
for nine decades
and two millennia.

He accomplished so much
for so long
despite being warned off of music
early on.
Nobody knows the name
of his discouraging teacher
– maybe she changed it from
Lester Polsfuss, too.