July 9, 2025 and eighty-six years ago on this day in 1939, the “Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star,” published the Associated Press article, “Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan Creator Was Never In Africa.”
I didn’t find a byline for the article, but the Associated Press shows that is was released for distribution from Tarzana, California. The entire article has been faithfully reproduced at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1788.html#creator
I haven’t physically been to Africa, but Burroughs guided me across the continent, as it was years ago, several times. He’s taken me to Mars, the South Seas, Chicago, Venus, and Beatrice, Nebraska. I’ve enjoyed every trip and as a boy growing up in Oklahoma, the schedule was flexible and I always got home in time for dinner.
The 100-word drabble, “But I’ve Been to Oklahoma.” was inspired by that article. Thanks to writer Hoyt Axton for his song that was recorded by Three Dog Night, which I’ve brutalized for this post. Actually, the drabble for today is 104 words long, but I like the way the poem turned out and I didn’t have time to make it shorter.
I’ve never been to Africa,
But I kinda like the jungle
The wildlife have sharp teeth there
And they the sure know how to bite you
Know how to stalk you
No need to squawk, you
Too late for talk, you
I’ve never been to Venus
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
They tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember
I’ve never been to Barsoom
But I kinda like the stories
The women there are gorgeous
There’s no excuse for abuse
They’ve knives ready for use
To cut body parts loose.
I’ve never been to Africa
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
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