Michael Jackson in Da Greens 💕
Gloved One, Loved One
(For Michael Joseph Jackson)
First Published in The Austin Voice
July 2009.
My heart is heavy, as I watch news footage of you
gliding across the stage and gyrating your pelvis,
At this moment in time this is bigger than the Duke,
man, this is bigger than Elvis!
Though you made your living with words, today there
are no words to express the way the world feels,
Right now there is no need to go into your discography
because it encompasses valleys and hills.
But where do I begin, should I start with your amazing
solo career or should I start with the Jackson 5,
When you were just a cute little boy,
On stage you were talented and outgoing,
Yet off stage you were introspective and coy,
In the 70's, you put the world into a trance
with your 'fro and bell bottomed jeans as you did the robot,
Michael, you had everyone at your feet because when
you danced and sang you gave all that you got!
Nat King Cole was a merry ole soul as he sat perched
up against mama's old wooden phonograph next to Billie Holiday,
Roberta Flack and the Jackson's Destiny album,
Lord, have mercy you all grew up to be mature, sexy and
handsome!
Ooh, wee, or should I say 'hee hee hee' about that
pulsating falsetto,
That reached every country, mansion, island, barrio,
prison, hut, suburb and ghetto!
I am old school and I remember coming home from school
putting on your albums,
These were the days before CD's, MP3 players, and
IPODS,
Goodness gracious, listening to your music was heaven
sent directly from God.
You were a great admirer of the legendary James
Brown,
It warmed my heart to see you at an award show holding
his crown.
You ruled the 80's with a glittering iron glove,
Moon walking into the hearts of millions
Moving as gracefully and as freely as a dove.
Newborns coming into the world already know your
name,
Ailing grandparents in their last days know the same.
You are Gary's finest but the world dubbed you the
'Gloved One'
Michael, your legacy is HIStory, DESTINY, OFF THE
WALL, INVINCIBLE,
BAD and most definitely a THRILLER.
You are the King of Pop the 'Man In The Mirror'! You
'rocked our world' for over 40 years.
You gave us such memorable songs as Who's Lovin You,
Got To Be There, Heart Break Hotel, Butterflies, PYT, Billie Jean,
Earth Song, Can You Feel It, Working Day And Night, The Girl
Is Mine, Say, Say, Say, and We 'Remember The Time' you told
us that 'We Are The World' and to 'Ease on Down The Road.'
You sold out football field stadiums and integrated
MTV music videos.
Back in the day we wore your buttons and donned white
socks and penny loafers,
Now here we stand today in shock and sadness but we
know your pain is over.
Michael, we miss you and though you said 'Heaven Can
Wait', 'You Are Not
Alone', and "Human Nature" is the reason 'I Just
Can't Stop Loving You.'
You were a great humanitarian a sensitive human
being,
Who came to earth and completed your journey now you
can have eternal rest,
The world loves you 'Gloved One' but the Lord truly
knows best.
We 'Never Can Say Goodbye' to you 'Lovely One.'
WE LOVE YOU, MJ.
