With music in her genes, her fame
seemed destined from the start.
Her Joy of song, so young, would claim
her passion and her heart.
Her Gospel roots inspired the way
to Higher Love within.
She sang in choirs and learnt to play,
encouraged by her kin.
By fourteen years, her dream to sing
came true in Cissy's* band
and, Step by Step with tutoring,
her craft would then expand.
And, All at Once, folk wanted more -
those looks that stole the scene,
with easy charm of girl-next-door,
Salute to teenage queen!
Then record deals would oft beguile
this girl away from school.
With Fam'ly First, she'd wait a while,
Tomorrow - was the rule.
And, when that came, her heart still set
on stardom to achieve,
she knew with trust in God she'd get
her gift When you Believe.
With melismatic* style of song,
she grasped her precious chance
and, full of fire, could do no wrong,
declared I Wanna Dance.
Though Tina had been there before,
this new girl bucked a trend.
Her Ev'ry Woman opened doors
for others to ascend.
Her dazzling light would shine upon
apartheid's dire display.
With Nelson* she prayed hate be gone
while Love will Save the Day.
A patriot with pride who'd pull
in crowds at Super Bowl -
America the Beautiful
would stir the nation's soul.
Then at her peak, her world unveiled
a new, dramatic call -
The Bodyguard with Costner hailed
the Greatest Love of All.
But just as she flew high above,
ill fate would bring her down.
Her yearning for Eternal Love
would not be met with Brown.*
Forever love was history
for battles soon entailed
and Stop the Madness was her plea
when battery prevailed.
His cocaine use and tabloid show
destroyed her once good name,
while I Will Always Love You so
now echoed loss and shame.
With Cissy's aid, she fled his might
to face a better day,
with grit, declaring It's Not Right
But (trusting) it's Okay.
Yet, sadly no, her magic shed,
her Sparkle less desired -
One Moment (cast) in Time, unread,
when deathly drugs conspired.
And always starred to reach the top
in Mem'ries we adore
but Didn't We (this Queen of Pop
so) Almost Have it All?
Addendum
Then, tragically, just three years on,
a loss with daughter too.
in self-same act of Whitney's song -
With love - I Run to You!
|