Marlene Dietrich was Berlin-born, but she despised the Nazis.
She studied violin, theater and poetry.
Her dreams of being a concert pianist was over when she injured her wrist.
She got her start on the stage in a chorus line.
Paramount pictures wanted her, so they wooed her.
Gave her a green Rolls-Royce Phantom II, in 1930.
She was known in the USA as a mysterious femme fatale.
She played several rolls as a cabaret singer.
German’s Nazi party offered her a lucrative contract.
They wanted her to return to Berlin and star in Nazi productions.
Marlene refused their offer and began selling war bonds.
Her $450,000 salary went into escrow to help Jews and dissidents escape Europe.
She was vocal about her beliefs, standing up for integrity.
She knew what was happening in Europe was wrong.
Few women are as brave, vocal or beautiful as Marlene Dietrich.
Many owe their ancestors’ lives to her.
morning has broken broken dreams in the cold light of day
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POET'S NOTES
With her monoku, Marlene 'Mountain' Morelock Wills (1939–2018), challenged the idea that haiku must consist of two juxtaposed images. I explore parallelism as a possible poetic device in this monoku, as well as a form of internal rhyme.
Besides the obvious meaning of "broken" (to break), "morning is broken" is an example of a contronym:
Now, as an adult, I realize that the use of “broken” in the expression “Morning has broken” is most closely related to breaking through a barrier, out of a throng, or through a surface. In fact, Merriam-Webster clusters it there: “to come into being by…bursting forth.”
PASSING NOTES: Morning Has Broken, by Christina M. Bentley October 9, 2017.
Marlene Larson
I just heard yesterday that you get to go home.
You will soon be young again and free to roam.
My thoughts and words today are for you my friend.
Every time that I write, I’ll think of you as I hit send.
I appreciate your support and the kind words you have shared.
I will miss your comments, but I’m so glad that you cared.
I’m sorry that you are leaving and not feeling well.
You will forever remain in my heart, so this is not a farewell.
Your words of encouragement, I will always hold dear.
The end is pretty amazing, so please don’t fear.
Those last three seconds are a miracle to behold.
It’s an amazing transition, so big and so bold.
I’ve shared with you my glimpse, and you too shall see.
All of your pain will be gone and you will truly be free.
I’m thankful for your friendship and that you are not alone.
Just wait till you feel his hand as he leads you back home.
Love always,
Mark Koplin
after "Ich bin die fesche Lola" sung by Marlene Dietrich
I'm easy-going Lola, the girl who's most in voque.
The Nutella in my pantry is there for none but me.
I'm easy-going Lola, the heartthrob a la mode,
but hands off my Nutella, or my other side you'll see.
I.m easy-going Lola ,the girl who's most in vogue
The Nutella in my pantry is stacked next to the gin.
I'll let you walk me homeward, though you are a rogue,
but hands off my Nutella, or I'll kick you in the shin.
Lola, Lola! the boys l know who I am.
You can take my marmalade, if that is what you seek.
I.m not one to be petty, so take my strawberry jam,
but fingers off Nutella, or it's hospital all week/
Your hair is like the
finest silk, your clothes
are made of linen, your
eyes are gorgeous as
the earth and you are
my beginning, your
contemplation is
unique, your beauty's
far from old, my love
for you is an antique, a
story long foretold.
Your breath is all i can
afford, your english is
concord, for you i'd
cease to live this life
and prone to flee
abroad...