Once she performed it
she made it her own
With joy we all listened
and marveled atoned

Endowed from the heavens
the Angels in awe
Her spirit celestial
your nerve endings raw

A voice for all seasons
Grand Madam of sound
To search for a lifetime
her like never found

While crossing each genre
she made time a slave
Her stylings eternal
— a gift heaven gave

(For Aretha Franklin: January, 2024)