“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.” ~ Michael Jackson
I wasn't going to do a tribute post to Michael Jackson but when I saw One Single Impression's theme for this week was Blue Rain, I felt I had to make the connections.
My memories of Michael Jackson are mostly from the Philippines and when I was a little kid. Growing up, we visited a total of 6 times starting from the age of 8 to 21. Each time I came back, there was always some sort of pop history moment that happened while I was there, or some significant pop memories.
Most notably:
There was the February 1st, 2004 Super Bowl with the Janet Jackson nipple slip that I completely missed while in the Philippines at the time, the last year I went.
There was the June 28th, 1997 Mike Tyson "ear biting" incident in boxing history that was all the buzz while I was on vacation.
But back to Michael, there was just a lot of fans in the Philippines that made him a very well known connection during my earlier stays at age 8 and 10 trying to reestablish familiarity in a place I had been away from for so long. Michael Jackson helped make that connection of familiarity pliable for me since he was, of course, very well known in the States. He was the glue that made me feel Philippines as part of my home, and not some foreign place I had to relearn about. It is true that he really was a world sensation. Everyone loved him, and I remember watching Thriller in the Philippines, seeing his music videos (particularly Black and White, the one featured on the YouTube video I have displayed), and idolizing him on TV when he would sing We Are the World with the kids dancing and singing in the background.
Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos said she cried when she heard that Michael Jackson had passed.
"Michael Jackson enriched our lives, made us happy."And it's true. The last memory I have of Michael Jackson is during a wedding of my Filipina friend about 4 years ago in which I was the bridesmaid. During her reception, her newlywed husband got up on the dance floor to a Michael Jackson song and began to dance all his moves. He was good, or at least, better than I could ever attempt to do. Everyone smiled and laughed and was mesmerized by the mimicked moves. It was entertaining and he was (and is) around my age. Michael Jackson helped shape my generation. As so many have said and mentioned, I feel a part of my childhood has died.
This poem is inspired by Michael Jackson and the Singing in the Rain tribute video:
Blue Rain
Blue rain
Stomp
Blue puddles in
Blue scene
Singing tribute to
Resting soul
Moving grace to
Dancing soles
Singing side by
Side
Pop's greatest King
Inspired by
Gene Kelly's
Dancing styles
Singing
Blue Rain paradise
Posts
29 wandering stars:
Indeed, MJ shall be missed.
Wonderful take on the prompt :)
a lovely tribute.
Wonderful post :) RIP MJ.
Thanks for joining in this week.
I had no idea he was influenced by someone as clean, sophisticated, and downright classy as Gene Kelly.
I enjoyed your poem.
I love this video and tribute. I also learned that he was influenced by the likes of Fred Astaire...man that guy studied the best. Michael Jackson will be so missed. I didn't realize I'd be so sad about his passing either but we have songs and memories. P.S. I so love Singing in the Rain and Gene Kelly. Classic stuff : )
I wrote a little about MJ too -- publishes in a few hours :)
Singing in the Rain -- well, the sequence leading up to it -- is, I think, my favourite musical sequence of all time.
Moses Supposes -> Good Morning -> Good Night, Kathy -> Singing in the Rain.
BLISS!
This is a really nice singing and dancing poetic tribute to Michael Jackson. He would have liked it.
Thanks a lot for looking at my tribute.
..
I was out of town, in South Texas, the day Elvis died. Elvis was to me then what Michael was to you now.
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Wow floreta. This is beautiful. The man is big over here too, his work will live on forever. His songs are musoc to my ears
He certainly was a universal phenomenon!
A HUGE part of my childhood was spent karaoke-ing to his songs and warm-ups before my dance performances were always done to Black or White/Beat It. His passing is felt in so many ways
:'(
Even a part of my music died with MJ…Nice blog…
http://ektakhetan.blogspot.com
Sadly, my last memories of MJ deal with his paedophilia scandal. But, there's no denying that he was a brilliant artist. I'd love to go back in time and do the moonwalk on my sofa again. :)
Hello floreta,
This is Sourik. I am a poet...i found your blog and especially this post speaking about the King of Pop, MJ..really interesting for i am a big fan of his...his untimely death is like my personal loss...
Do drop by my blog someday, for i would be eagerly waiting for your response...:) :)
Cheers!
Sourik
its my favo song about jacko, is nice song
moving tribute poem..
My dad cried when he heard Mike died.. they're similar ages so he grew up with Michael Jackson... So sad!
his songs and legacy will continue. i enjoyed his songs. i tried following his dance moves but i fail. lol
Beautiful tribute, and a beautiful poem too.
http://a-muse-in-me.blogspot.com/
A lovely, personal tribute.
A touching tribute to a legend..
Great words, there..
sad to know someone had passed when if I never knew them, the first time I saw the video to thriller, I was in awe and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I think that's my first thrill of listening to pop music, at least one that I can recall
anyway, great tribute poem
:)
Your poem is a great tribute to a man that has shaped the music in industry and helped define pop culture.
For i am the lord of the dance, said he. What a heartfelt tribute to one who gave so much!
in a world that demands
pick young or old, black or white, woman or man
Michael Jackson was a border crosser
He was controversial, enigmatic and strange. Aren’t we all?
I will remember him always for his generosity, his exuberance, his genius. Moved by his passing, I also have a post up in memorium.
Floreta: I'm glad you did this. He was such a mess of a man in his later years, but good lord, when he was in his glory days, he was a wonder - and such a beautiful man, too. A shame, I assume, that he could not see it and rest in it. But then, I have no idea what he was carrying. May he rest in wondrous peace, and may the dance moves continue to amaze, wherever next he settles...
he's amazing, very talented.
Lots of people have written tributes to MJ, but your poem was by far my favorite. Very nicely done.
kuyer - thank you :)
sue - thanks
lovelila - indeed. i think it's sad that there are so many bad michael jackson jokes right now re: child molesting :(
sandy - i actually had no idea either!
write girl - awesome. i loved the video too.
eye-in-sty - indeed!
nashe - that's a lot of memories :(
seb - i haven't actually seen the singing in the rain thing before :X
jim - i never thought about how it would have been similar with elvis. good point. i hope MJ would like it..
andhari - thanks :) he was big everrywhere
numero - yes, that's how it feels
sumit - i'm not sure that i believe the allegations, or care.. i think he was messed up though for sure
sourik - it is a loss for many and a big loss for music
harry - mine would be billie jean possibly
lion-ess - i didn't cry until i saw janet give that speech
totomai - haha i couldn't even attempt to try :P
april - thank you! i wasn't sure if i had much to offer in way of 'tribute' but i figured i could write a poem instead
fourwind - thanks :)
dark lord - thanks
lissa - thriller is a really great video!
nomadic pinoy - no doubt
gabrielle - i completely agree
murat - i'm glad i wrote this too. i think he got taken over by his genius.. the fine line between genius and (in)sanity.
hrix - i agree
amindinmotown - awww, thanks a lot!
what a fine tribute
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