she was born in the south
a gospel singing girl
who had a voice so soulful
of feeling pearl

the songs she sang
rose on the music charts
the lyrics they conveyed
spoke to our hearts

we'll remember Aretha
the queen of blues
who could evoke emotions
of so many hues

she's returning to her
maker's eternal embrace
where he'll hold her spirit
in abiding grace

our
respects
we
offer
to
an
icon
of
melodic
culture