Aretha Louise Franklin
Labeled "The Queen Of Soul"
She was expressive in her music
There was a story waiting to be told
Her voice was fierce and powerful
The sound was succinct and sharp
She was one to open up your mind
And give light to those stuck in the dark
Uplifting and exhilarating
Willing to enhance one's vision
Embracing love, life, freedom, and happiness
And carrying out her mission
When in a state of sorrow and pain
She still found a way to persevere
Her inner strength was profound
The messages in her songs were clear
At the age of 76
She has sadly passed on
The legacy of Aretha Franklin
Will continue to be heartstrong

Let no one discourage you
Just continue on
Keep moving forward
You have the ability to be heartstrong
Build your bridge
And climb even higher
Be in pursuit of happiness
Show them that you have the fire

Find it in you
To carry on
Losing a loved one is hard
But, you must have the will to be heartstrong
Cherish all the memories
And wear your heart on your sleeve
Think of the grand memories
As you continue to grieve

Continue to push yourself
Always go above and beyond
There is no limit to greatness
Find yourself and be heartstrong
Rise through the battle
Keep positive thoughts in your mind
Build your world with happiness
You can be bright as the sunshine

Sitting in the comfort of her chair
And listening to the sounds of the breeze
There is no disparity
She can now see things with clarity
You have left her all alone
She is sadly dazed and confused
The time has come for her to move on
She will find herself and become heartstrong

Sometimes you gotta sleep..

When you laugh all day and in them nights you weep
When stakes are high and pain is deep
When KARMA fails and life is a creep..

Sometimes you gotta sleep..

When nothing seems right and wisdom is bleak
When fights find you and peace is all that you seek
When you wanna do good and you are called a Mind Freak..

Sometimes you gotta sleep..

When you are heartstrong and headweak
When assumptions eclipse reality and emotions take a back seat
When you hold on hope and with every moment life leaks..

Sometimes you gotta sleep..

When you put in all the courage you got while anxiety is at its peak
When words running through your mind which they generally beep
When you are in ruins but whatever is left of you, you want to keep..

Sometimes you gotta sleep.

You may struggle and fall
But, you get back up and try again
Persistence is the key
Just stay positive my friend
Have a desirable will
To just continue on
Climb that mountain
And be heartstrong

Have the strength
To continue on
Think large, take charge
And be heartstrong
Your mother wanted the best for you
For she was always sincere
She may be gone now
But, memories of her are still there

Girl, why do you put up with his mess?
Just pick yourself up and move on
You can start all over again
You have the ability to be heartstrong
He never really cared for you
Had some nerve just to criticize
His heart was never really into you
This is what you need to realize

Wear your heart on your sleeve
And continue on with your life
Your world is surrounded by clouds
Filled with confusion and strife
Your mother may be gone
But, you have to find a way to carry on
Never forget what she taught you
Pick yourself up and be heartstrong

Find courage and strength
Be an inspiration to everyone
Rise above all obstacles
Always be heartstrong
It all starts with you
Just believe
Follow through with your dreams
So you can achieve

Find it in your heart
To continue on
The road will be filled with obstruction
Hang in there and be heartstrong
The lesson is in the struggle
Keep fighting your way through
Do not ever lose hope
Let the treacherous path build you

Everyday is a struggle
We live and continue on
Moments come and go
But, we must find ourselves and be heartstrong
Sometimes darkness will appear
And we hide from the light
Nothing but madness and mystery
We still thrive to make things bright

Moments become memories
After time passes on
We live and learn accordingly
Hopefully, we become heartstrong
Learn to grow and go with the flow
And shine our inner light
We enlighten and empower respectfully
As morning becomes night

If I could be a city
Which one would I choose?
Venice - the wisdom of water?
New York: skyline views?

Perhaps I might be Bangkok
With the relatives of my wife
Not just now Jerusalem
Sacred - but, alas, full of strife

Not sure I'd endure the winters
In lovely Stockholm by the sea
And I come from a Catholic family
Perhaps Rome is the place for me?

Sometimes my thoughts are large
So I could become Mumbai
And I do quite like dim sum
I'd get my fill in old Shanghai

I could decide to go small
Like my high school in Satellite Beach
Or philosophically profound
But ah! Platonopolis is out of reach

Oh! to be Kyoto
Silent meditation through the night
Or London's levitation
Tyger, Tyger burning bright!

I can see myself as Vienna
St. Stephansdom in sparkling snow
Or the biggest little city in the world
Yes, indeed - Reno!

If I could be a city
Which one would I be?
I'd be a heartstrong human city
A glimmer of eternity!

If I could be a city
Which one would I choose?
Venice, the wisdom of water?
New York: skyline views?

I might be misty Dublin
I have some Irish ancestry
Or maybe beauty by the Baltic
Lovely Stockholm by the sea

Perhaps I could be Bangkok
With all the relatives of my wife
Not just now Jerusalem
Sacred, but full of strife

Sometimes my thoughts are large
So I could choose to be Mumbai
Or maybe baby Seattle
Which is where I'd like to die

I could decide to go small
Like my high school in Satellite Beach
Alas, not Platonopolis
Wondrous, but out of reach

I could be Spanish speaking
In grande Mexico City
Or maybe over to London
Where the women are so witty

I come from a Catholic family
Maybe Rome is the place for me?
Or possibly back to Taipei
The people so respectful and kindly

Should I become Atlanta
Dr. King's southern sky?
But I also do like dim sum
Get my fill in old Shanghai

If I could be a city
Which one would I be?
I'd be a heartstrong human city
A glimmer of eternity!