in a night so dark and sea so deep,
on the sandy shore we safely sleep,
yet far out on the rolling wave
fishermen on tiny boat venture out brave
a weather-beaten lantern is shining small
against shadows brooding and tall.
the tumultuous sea rises like a wall
threatening to engulf them all
the full moon above penetrates twilight
and kisses the sea with her silver light.
meanwhile, there are jagged rocks ahead
where the violent black sea portends dread.
there are two streaks of light on the foam
one from the sky, the other far from home.
a fragile shell of wood and twine
is tossed by the constantly churning brine.
nevertheless, they row on against the gale
with trembling hands and cumbersome sail
despite odds against the restless sea's might,
the fishermen battle on as they wait for light.
I am trying to narrow this idea down to one
If I could choose one person to knock on my door
Bette Midler, Cher, Reba, Dolly Parton and Liza Minelli come to mind
Wait! Tina Turner; yes, I want Tina to knock on my door
I have loved her energy since the first second I saw her
On TV in the sixties, doing Proud Mary like only she can do it.
The way she moved those flashy sequins was unbelievable
Those dancing legs and that unique voice, showing me woman power
Woman power. Wait a second. I loved Helen Reddy too.
I am woman, hear me roar – that changed my entire life.
And I love the other four that I already mentioned.
No, it is Tina Turner, definitely I want Tina to knock on my door.
English artist Turner J M W
a visual manifesto did pursue
To the countryside,he did go
& hazy abstracts he made flow
Oh she was such a a lovely lady
The vivacious Rosie O'Grady
She was long, lush, and lean
And a real sex machine
Still turning heads when she was eighty
One day she met Mister Morgan Hatch
Was a handsome rogue and quite the catch
And at first she was thrilled
But was left unfulfilled
Cuz she had an itch he couldn't scratch
it's three in the morning
i'm so awake it's euphoric
i want to feel this way forever
drunk on translucence
the creases in the pillow beam at my exhilaration
God-fearing doughnuts and coffee
James Cameron was so excited by 2001
he vomited outside the screening
i listen to the sax solo and want to vomit too
what am i going to do?
'don't worry' the song begins
'i won't hurt you.'
i would never hurt you either Prince
she sings she wants to take me higher
she can't
i don't really wanna fight no more
don't leave the cap off the toothpaste babe
Rolling passed where I used to live many years ago,
I saw a white limousine stopping by,
I didn't know what was happening,
but I went there to see.
A Coruña, my city those years,
in front of the "Chaplin Cinemas"
the "Black Panther" made her
limousine to be stopped in the middle of nowhere to sign autographs before the concert.
Mrs Tina Turner went out
from the car in the middle of the road so humble.
Mrs. Tina Turner had a concert for one day, but many people didn't have the chance to be there because there was no space.
She didn't mind to stay and give another concert for us to enjoy for free.
Mrs. Tina Turner I've been blessed by chance,
while you were rolling down the street.
So nice you stopped by my door when you were rolling by.
Standing with defiance,
as a woman on her own.
Like the young Mr. Dylan,
she too was a rolling stone.
Star of the screen and stage,
her moves of sweet suspense.
Known for her high energy,
and musical reverence.
Icons of the era,
call her Queen of Thunderdome,
She got what she wanted,
and made the world her home.
The memory of her,
rolling on the river.
The honor of character,
not a taker but giver.
Now forever on video,
again she'll be all the rage.
For the new generation,
a bright star of the stage.
date: 6/18/23
Contest: What's Love Got To Do With It ?
sponsor: John Anderson
A woman we simply call Queen.
A singer loved by millions.
The Queen of Rock.
The Queen of Soul.
Yet, overshadowed by jealousy,
Of her beloved.
Thru many years of abuse,
She was forced to endure,
She hid the tears and bruises,
Of every day of every year.
Then one day, she said no more.
He will never raise a hand to me.
She ran, and one man alone saved her.
She survived.
She endured.
She lived.
As the decades go by, she excels,
winning Grammy's, Awards, and honors,
Including starring in movies.
Yet she is still called Queen.
Idolized by millions.
On this day of her passing, we look to the clouds,
Hearing "On Silent Wings."
Knowing she is in the arms of the heavens.
"On Silent Wings"
I will never be the same again.
I feel the whisper of the wind,
On silent wings.
Thanks for your music and the memories.
Tina Turner was the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll
She earned her dues for music's cause
On stage she played her regal role
Belting out tunes to thunderous applause
With hits like "Proud Mary"
She had fans screaming in the aisles
As the big wheel kept turning on the ferry
On a musical journey of many miles
She had some rough times with Ike
But eventually she took freedom's flight
Her song, "I Don't Wanna Fight,
Summed up her feelings on the mic
Her song, "Whats Love Got To Do With It"
Described those times well
Yet she blazed a musical trail that was well lit
In her songs her memory will dwell
6-5-2023
What's Love Got to Do with It - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: John Anderson
Tina Turner, a queen of soul,
Her voice is so strong, it takes a toll.
Her songs are a reflection of her life.
Full of struggles and strife.
From "Proud Mary" to "What's Love Got to Do with It",
Her music became a hit.
But-behind-the-scenes, her story was not a nixie tale.
She endured abuse and pain that left her frail.
Born Anna Mae Bullock in Tennessee,
Her childhood was apart from happy.
Her parents separation put her in a bind.
Living with her grandmother, she was left behind.
At 17, she met Ike Turner, a musician and producer.
Who saw her talent and became her seducer.
They formed a band and hit the road.
But behind closed doors, a dark side showed.
Ike physically and emotionally abused Tina,
She stuck with him for fear of being fired out of the arena.
Their music career soared.
But their relationship roared.
Written: June 5, 2023
What's Love Got to Do with It - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: John Anderson
Class act singer Tina Turner
At performing on stage, a fast learner!
Her worse half was a man named Ike.
We loved her all the more when she made him take a hike.
June 2, 2023
For John Anderson's What's Love Got To Do With It - Poetry Contest
T -The movie-life with Ike Turner exposed
I - I, like most humans - had to notice her
N -Notoriety for hits true to life; loved fans
who return the favor
A - A prayer she joins celestial chorus
worshipping Jesus (I heard her sing in
Sanskrit-Hindi, "Sarveshyam Shantir Bhavatu")
Tina, I saw you perform in Oakland, CA,yes, long ago.
But God has chosen to bring you to His eternal home today.
You, Hall and Oates, Huey Lewis and the News were all part of
a magical, music show.
I feel, in heaven the Angels will shout a welcoming hooray!
How beyond grateful, I was to see you sing, dance and play.
My daughter had to stop me from dancing in the aisles.
I just was so moved, I jumped up to dance, all smiles
Your son left this planet in the year 2018~ how you cried!
Not tonight, you can swing on silver stars, side by side.
**********************
In memory of Tina Turner ….1940-2023.
5/24/2023
a music legend
don't need another hero -
let's stay together
that amazing voice
sexy angel in heaven -
with the short tight skirts
death begets sorrow
what's love got to do with it -
in the gray twilight
The moon was peeking through the naked trees
The breeze that blew that day had gone to bed
A lonely nightingale perched overhead
Harassed the silence with his sad reprise
The creaking porch swing's old familiar tune
No fitting lyrics could I ever write
To my sweet love on this warm firefly night
The melancholic song I'd never croon
Ten trillion stars, a shimmering chemise
Which cloaked the sky in sparkles green and red
Connected by the rays of golden thread
How could one tire, admiring nights like these?
Upon magnolia trees, blossoms were strewn
The nightingale heard his call and took flight
I might sit here until the morning light
Like days of old, these nights would make us swoon
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.