Gloved One, Loved One

(For Michael Joseph Jackson) by Doreen Ambrose-Van Lee

First Published in the Austin/Garfield/Lawndale Voice

June 2009

(EXCERPT)

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 Holliday,

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,