The 'Late' Mr. Brown

Since Mr. Brown has passed away,
We say that he is 'late'.
He died and went to Heaven,
Which is now his present state.

When he was here and with us,
We just called him Mr. Brown.
If we had called him 'late' back then,
He would have worn a frown.

But now we say "The Late Mr. Brown",
Such a grand ol' title to call,
But why do we say that he is 'late',
When he isn't coming at all?

by David Ronald Bruce Pekru