Long Aretha Poems

“The Remaining”

PROLOGUE:  “Terra Firma and The Bitumen”


"The slow descent into Hell
Had led Her mind to escape to Heaven
Her firmament was Her Mind
Her body just a Shell"


Heaven for Her existed in The Dream
She called Her...

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December 14, 1965           

"Mr. Samuel Cooke. Sam Cooke??
You been in that casket for three days..
You a long way from Chicago, son?"

And Sam said, "What happened
Where...

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“ I Never Loved A Man” as much as I loved you.
My darling you continued to give me ” Respect” as well.
“Baby I Love You” so, I'm so glad we said I do.
In the past...

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A Woman’s Worth
When she walks in the room
she wants people to stop and stare
not because they’re whispering…
what she got on girl, what’s up with that hair?
But because she looks good, conservative and chic
looking her best...

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Are you feeling sad,
wanting your faith community,
democratic society,
to live more...
live more deeply...
live more widely...

Faithful to wealthy health, yes,
and I wonder if you are angry,
frustrated,
impatient,
wishing for more enthusiastic RESPECT,
more Aretha Franklin listened to
and more explicitly understood,
appreciated?

On...

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Johnny Cash gives it away for free,
John K says he would like to be Prez.
Richard Nixon will run against him,
so the republican party says.

Lamar Cox gets 44th KO,
‘The Stilt’ scores 58 in one game.
In high...

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She writes like Maya
She sings like Aretha
She dreams like Coretta
She reads like Oprah
She speaks like Barbara
She plays like Serena
She rocks like Tina
She rolls like Donna
She entertains like Diana
She cures like Maria
She paints like Edmonia
She kicks...

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Amazing Grace A Sparrow Died Today An Angel Unfolded Their Wings Sings   Aretha Louise Franklin  

A sparrow died today
An angel unfolded their wings
Break it to me gently young, gifted and black
She began her...

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American Bandstand, Aqua Velva Ads, Aretha Franklin, and, the Andy Griffith Show
Black lights, Bewitched, bean bag chairs, beads, Batman and the Beatles
Cleopatra, Corvairs, Corvettes, Chevelles, Captain Kangaroo, Civil Rights Movement
Dionne Warwick, Derek and the Dominoes,...

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Aint Throwin my'self off no bridges
God made the Ocean for the fish

And at the risk of soundin' religious
Suicide wont be gettin' his wish

Sister Mercer, sister Bailey,
Sing me through this

 'Nough Blues in my suitcase
To make...

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The great Elvis Presley stole the show
When it came to music, fast and slow

Patsy Cline could sing so sweet and fine
Without a doubt, her voice would shine

Hank Williams had a son with his name
Like father,...

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Winter by Jean-Antoine Hudson

Who are you?
Who, who, 
Who, who,
Who are you? by The Who

You clasp a tattered shawl to your breast 
Barely concealing your treasure
Barely covering your dignity
Barely hiding your shame.

You ignore the seasonal chill
Are...

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thank you Lord for the gifts in my life.
the farah fawcett, the michael jackson my willy wonka,the muhamad ali, the al green.
the prince, the babyface, the elvis presely, the johnny taylor and b.b. king.
the john...

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you hit a tender nerve as if you haven't already heard
there are some forces behind the scenes in evil schemes
having thought provocative lucid dreams  of hay
you got to earn your respect today so don't...

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There's chaos and  destruction,  death and despair. 
My time here is running out,  so what do I care?

Babies and grand babies need a safe place to play.
Without some pervert standing less that...

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The Kennedy Center is known to the world
For honoring those in the arts – 
From Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Astaire,
Whose talents top all of the charts.

Sinatra, Gene Kelly, L. Bernstein, Kazan
And Benny and Lena and...

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Look me in my eyes tell me want you think!!!! attitude 
sassy, personality cool, with pretty baby smile face walk 
smooth. follow me to my dream kind and also a healer try me 
and you...

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Most everyone has heard
of the place I come from
They hear mostly bad news, sad news
Tragic Detroit black and blues
The crime,
the murders,
The violent riots
that constantly divides us
But I grew up during a special time,
when Detroit was...

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Where I’m From…..

I am from bar-b-ques and live family feuds.
Walks to down town Paterson laughing at women and men who allow their selves to be called 
hoes and prostitutes.
Fast behind little girls and quick to...

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Dear Mother it wasn’t about the quantity spent

The indefinite percent; Caring for a newborn and rent

Twelve-monthly prepared meals; a everlasting smelling scent

You were the only one who really believed in me, that I could do...

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What We Need
(RESPECT)
By Franklin Price
06/24/2020

What we need in times of struggle
Is a place we can connect
We the people need to search for 
Common ground for some RESPECT 

Otis Redding wrote RESPECT 
A thought provoking song
Only...

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Adam Lambert, a rare gift to this decade, reviving queen.
Seen no doubt in heaven by Freddy Mercury, the guy.
By the way, fine Aretha Franklin has also grabbed my heart.
Smart of me to fall in love...

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Music

The food of love..
To nourish my soul
Keeping me warm,
Dear friend, in the cold.

We dance and sing 
Yet you never judge
Or my crazy, wide-eyed 
Fantasy begrudge.

Although my frame
May be slow and weak.
You see the truth..
My moves...

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Listen....
Let me tell you a secret peep it
poetry is an art form, so intriguing.
Whether you're in solitude
or on stage speaking not speechless.
Poetic speeches teach the future's
young leaders many reasons
to lead the leadless to be leaders.
Knowledge,...

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I have a friend who smiles a lot – she prays a lot, too.
There could be a connection. And being more spiritual
than religious, my friend has the flexibility to be 
giving, forgiving, fun and human....

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