I saw him led across my BLACK AN D WHITE  television screen in the rundown city of NEWARK huge shades covered his eyes like black bandages head skyward voice a dynamite musicial roar of sound as RAY CHARLES screamed I GOT A WOMAN WAY OVER TOWN THAT"S GOOD TO ME  THAN JAMES BROWN  in a shoulder cape danced  did a split dropped to his knees and roared PLEASE PLEASE  PLEASE and PAPA GOT A BRAND NEW BAG the DRIFTERS took the stage with UNDER THE BOARD WALK  JACKIE WILSON ex boxer punched out the tune LONELY TEARDROPSwhile doing another split and throwing his coat or hankerchief to waiting  screaming  fans DION AND THE BELMONTS told about RUNAROUND SUE SMOKEY ROBINSON AND THE MIRACLES with his high falsetto touched the rafters with TEARS OF A CLOWN  the TEMPTATIONS told everybody that would listen  that PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE  and I WISH IT WOULD RAIN so that no one will see my teardrops when I go outside BROOK BENTON with his smooth baritone sang about A RAINY NIGHT IN GEOGIA  and that ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME and THE JAGUARS were careful on tiptoe because THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT ELVIS PRESSLEY wanted to know ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT  and sang about THE JAILHOUSE ROCK and JERRY LEE LEWIS known as the killer on the stage beat beat the piano like a bad child with elbows feet hands letting us know about there is A WHOLE LOT OF SHAKING GOING ON we ain't faking there's a whole lot  of shaking going on

the blooming flower of summer has died not to be reborn until next year.soon the dark will slowly creep down from the sky like soft drifting snowflakes,farmers still tillt the silent land ever hoping  for rain to kiss their thirsty crops ,the field scarecrow keeps watch in order to chase away unwelcome flying birds of prey,smells  from the kitchen of bacon eggs biscuits fried ham okra home fries  grits black coffee tea assult the nose like early morning cold air  the sun rises slowly from its  golden covers  filling the earth as night steps off the stage exits left before taking its final bow

the lenses of my eyes capture on the film of mind your wondrous beauty and grace of style .I know that  not even shakespear  could pen sonnets that would fully reveal the breath and scope of your beauty so how can I in these feeble and trembling words which hopefully will be accepted from my heart and carried into yours

when misfortune tries to shipwreck my future and i'm  enslaved by chains of doubt ,you reach out a gentle loving hand to me ,suddenly its clear what love is really about.when fear with deadly hands slowly chokes life out of my dreams and I want to stay in bed with the covers over head,whatever   strength was inside leaks in a run like a fleeting bride.your love  recaptures  that escaped. when wide eyed unrest disturbs the  church of my familiar it seems to be if your not near and the music of time skips in an uneven beat.when your arms circle around this hungry wraist the touch is sunfire

MAMA's gentle hand rested in mine.  Before putting me on the giant yellow school bus and somehow awareness made it known in mama's hands I could trust.  These very same hands wiped away my tears, hugged away my fears and chased with a touch the fever from my brow.  Death has taken her finally and memories sweet are left behind oh how I wish to feel that loving caress now. Mama's hands put on my stylish cap and shinny shoes. After lessons were done prepared each meal into a bountiful feast, to take the mind off youthful blues. Hands that iron the shirt and pants for you never asking much for herself yet constantly giving with a smile to everybody else.  In hard times trying to make her children's even simplest wish come true. Now in my mind I see my very own mama with eyes closed in prayer thanking GOD for taking her through the day with care.  With folded hands mama's hands.

RED WHITE BLUE THE colors of the flag flowing over the Nation one that stands for peace but surely defend in war we can defeat countries that we have entreated that have scorned global peace American guns of war and mighty power in due course tend to repeat .Americans stand out wherever they go voices rising with pride of their country so that every one will know. America the beautiful I pledge my love and dedication forever to you serving this great and free land as under the free flowing stars and stripes united we all stand I will love America the beautiful forever

Red white Blue the colors of the flag flowing over the Nation that stands for peace but surely defend in war we can countries that we have entreated that scorned global peace American guns of war and mighty power to in due course defeat Americans stand out wherever they go naturally proud of their country so that every one will know.America the beautiful I pledge my love and dedication forever to you serving this this great and free land as under the free flowing stars and stripes united we all stand .I will always love America the beautiful forever