Ted Scheu: Hi. My name is Ted Scheu. I'm the guy with the name that looks shoe. In fact, I do many school visits each, and at least one or two assemblies I get introduced by the principal as children's poet, Ted Shoe. It's always good for a laugh as I gently correct everyone.

I met a smart, a really smart first grader about 10 years ago who had a name like mine, one that is always mispronounced. This girl who might've been a fan of that TV scientist Bill Nye the Science Guy turned to me and said, "I know. We'll call you Ted Scheu that poetry guy." Well, that nickname stuck. I like it. Here's a short poem I wrote 10 or so years ago about the pronunciation of my last name. It's called One Shy Guy.

"I've never known quite what to do for all my life I've been a shoe. It didn't really matter who, my teachers or people from Kalamazoo. I'd tell them one time, maybe two. Sometimes I'd scream 'til I was blue. I'd threaten to have my lawyer sue, but none of them seemed to have a clue. Well, some got the message, but only a few. Hey, just between us, me and you, I think their brains were full of glue. Oh, yes. I agree it looks like a shoe. It's a name that one could misconstrue, but I hope that you won't do it too.

'So how do you say it?' I hear you cry. 'Please tell us and we'll all comply.' 'I thought you'd never ask,' says I. Just listen and just give it a try. It's short and sweet and smooth as pie, as gentle and soft as a lullaby. It's clear as crystal azure sky, as quiet and quick as a butterfly. Hey, it's true. I never lie.

Can you guess? Hey, you get it on your very first try. I knew you were smart, but I didn't know why. Me, I can't say it. I'm that kind of guy. I thought that perhaps you'd identify when it comes to pronouncing my name I'm shy."