Tribute To Tina Turner
"I've been takin' on a new direction, but I have to say, I've been
thinkin' about my own protection, it scares me to feel this way."
From Tina Turner's song
What's Love Got To Do With It
Tina Turner, the singer, the legend, died on May 24, 2023
at her lakeshore home Chateau Algonquin, in Switzerland
on the Zurich Lake, it was her home for three decades
fans lay flowers, lit candles and left messages of love
at the cast-iron gates overcome with grief, she was 83
Tina's humble beginnings, her voice, and her strength
would make her beloved the world over and an inspiration
she had a swagger, a sexuality, an unstoppable energy
wild crazy hair, dancing legs and hips, and gravely voice
born, Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939
a young girl who sang in the church choir and
then, as a teen went to nightclubs with her sister
watching Ike Turner she said would put her in a trance
one night she was given a microphone and sang
and sang all night with Ike and that was the beginning
Ike loved her voice and made her his lead singer
with his band the Kings of Rhythm and girl group, Ikettes
there were tours, albums, hit records, it all seemed wonderful
but behind the scene things were not good for Tina
Ike was violent, abusive, with an unpredictable temper
he hit Tina, raped her, belittled her, instilled fear and
never gave her any of the money that she earned
this went on until one night after a brutal fight
Tina ran with 36 cents in her pocket to a Ramada Hotel
she divorced Ike and began her amazing solo career
there would hit albums, number 1 hits, world tours,
Grammy's, movie roles, induction into the Hall of Fame
so much success it is hard to put it all in this poem
she lost two sons to death, fought various illnesses
for years, but did marry the love of her life, Irwin Bach
she had happiness, she had sorrow and she had strength
and that is how I will remember this incredible woman
a woman who fought to come back from hell and who
would inspire the world with her amazing talent,
rest in peace, Tina Turner
Copyright ©
Constance La France
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