Comment from Sonjalee

Exceptional

Simply superb. I love the concise message. What a wonderful tribute. Michael would be so proud.
It follows the Minute structure perfectly/
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute.

 Comment Written 05-Jun-2011

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reply by the author on 05-Jun-2011

Sonjalee, thank you so very much, my friend. I so appreciate your generous rating and your thoughtful comments :-) Brooke

Comment from empire76

Excellent

Adewpearl, Lovely poem to a truly great man. My feelings for Michael have always been a little more personal than most, I think.

Thanks for sharing this tribute

Empi

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2009

Empi, thank you. I know what you mean about personal feelings - there was a folksinger, a contemporary of Bob Dylan named Phil Ochs, who committed suicide in the 70's, and I was totally personally devastated by his death because his music had meant so much to me during the 60's.
Thank you for your gracious review. Brooke :-)

Comment from aviddbrut

Excellent

brooke, I am sorry I missed this when it was first posted. great job. my sentiments exactly. Michael would have been the first to say that his talents were God-given. there is mercy and there is grace and there is mystery...all far beyond my comprehension. he was a gifted person who left his mark on my life and on many, many others. thanks for writing this.
david

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2009

David, thank you so much - ALMOST everyone had the same gracious response as you to my sentiments in this poem - I appreciate it. Brooke :-)

Comment from GABSTBOZ

Excellent

Hi B
Very beautifully written . A great tribute that soothes the scars of mourners.
Your "Author Notes" carry on with a wonderful compassion I wish all would read and carry a bit of its peaceful reflection with them in their hearts .

Smiles to you
Gabor

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2009

Thank you, Gabor - I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Brooke :-)

Comment from dtimes3

Excellent

There are few people more iconic in any field than Michael Jackson was in the world of pop music. My personal religious beliefs are that God receives us back in the innocence and perfection with which He created us. No matter what sins any man has committed in his lifetime, it is not mine to judge them upon his death. I prefer to remember the best of a person, which does not mean at all I dismiss or condone the worst. Please do not respond by reminding me of all the things this tragically flawed child of God did to displease you - I'm aware of them.

AMEN!

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2009

Thank you for that Amen - I had a run in with a guy who read that and still chose to tell me I was pandering to celebrity. Brooke :-)

reply by dtimes3 on 29-Jun-2009

I don't believe it is pandering at all - the only sense of that would be in the timing. I viewed it as a strong statement of our loss of innocence in our struggles with adult life and although we may choose not to forgive the transgressions of the stars, the important massage is God forgives all.

Comment from Just2Write

Excellent

I was away for the last few days photographing wild flowers and knew nothing of this man's or Farrah Fawcett's passing. I too remember Michael Jackson when he was just a kid, with the whole world in the palm of his hand. Thanks for the lovely poem to help God remember what child stands at the Gate. Rose.

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2009

Rose, Off from the news photographing wild flowers - what a grand way to spend a few days. Thank you. :-) Brooke

Comment from frelanz

Excellent

Awww...how beautiful. Well written. Perfect words and flow together superb. Very impressive. I enjoyed reading this very much. Perfect how it is. Well done :-) Dawn

 Comment Written 29-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2009

Dawn, thanks so much - I'm listening to more of the coverage of his death even as I write this. Brooke

Comment from MaureenLocher

Excellent

Very fine tribute. This poem flows well, capturing the feeling of God's forgiveness. I remember that Michael Jackson, not Jacko of dubious fame. It's short and to the point - could have been written during his trial or anytime after any of his exploits so profoundly convered in the media. Your poem says all that needs to be said. Even without your author note it is obvious that you believe in forgiveness; so do I. Nice job.

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2009

Thank you, Maureen for such a gracious response to my poem. Brooke

Comment from Roisin

Excellent

What a beautiful philosophy you have on life and death Brooke. This is beautiful. You've done a wonderful job in summing up the person who was loved by millions. Great rhymes and rhythm in this perfect rispetto. I love it.

Hugs

Roisin

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2009

Thanks so much, Roisin - this is not necessarily a religious take on things that goes along with main stream theology, but it is what I've always felt. Brooke :-)

Comment from Charles Keith

Excellent

Hi Brooke,
I have to admit he was never one of my favourite musicians, although doutless he had incredible talent.

I youfootnotes you mention his lost innocence. Prsonally I feel he was innocent in mind and this in part led him to do the odd things he did.

Nice thought.

Keith

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2009

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2009

Keith, I do believe you're right. Thank you, Brooke :-)