Two Poems for Whitney

Beautiful Innocent Thing 

The earliest voice, the purest beginnings

It was like this at the start. You can see in the photo

the blithe young woman in the yard in Newark

looking over the fence out into the world.

On her face, complete joy, equipoise,

the softness that precedes

the grit needed for a best work

even when she already was the best

what she did in her life

an expression of singing so ebullient it surpassed being

it flew away, flew her away, flew us away with it.

A trip to the moon without a ticket back.

Like that. Exactly like that.

After wards, way  past this, the slow low pull of drugs and booze.

All the news. The insatiable, what could not be sated,

a story about the not enough,

the never enough and the more of that. Like that.

The low tow with no where to go.

In the end what remains is what began.

 The jamming, sweet-noted woman

angel faced, sweet smiling, her sounds like the sea

immeasurable, it is so, we have no measure for this

not this time, it is as fine as it gets, yes

oh my yes, everybody knew

the beautiful innocent thing

© Charlene Langfur

Houston funeral security tight, fans told stay home
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Charlene is an organic gardener and a graduate of the S.U. graduate writing program.
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Last Song

Do you remember when I tried to hold on?
I thought the ride was worth the fall,
then loneliness would call ...

I was livin’ in that fantasy world;
couldn't get you out my head,
now I'm dead.
Never should have met you, baby.

Ooh, I kept on losin' control!
Couldn't get enough,
 to chase those blues away—
Say you wanna dance, wanna dance ...

Bittersweet is all I take with me—
special brew put the fire in me.
I wish I didn’t like it so much;
don't let it take away my dignity.

Where does my broken heart go?
Can I find my way?

Will He take this heart of mine into His hands?

I know He loves me with more love
than I've ever seen.
Whether I'm right or wrong,
Yes indeed! Jesus loves me.

I've got to get ready—just a few minutes more.

This is my last song.

Gonna get that old feeling,
 when I walk through that door ...

© Kat Mortensen

Stars To Perform At Whitney Houston's Funeral
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Kat is a Canadian poet, and the author of 'Shadowstalking'. Currently, her poems can be read at Kat Mortensen Poetry

Would Natalie?

Would Natalie, who feared the water, dark and deep,
Foreshadowing, perhaps, the waves where she would sleep,
Not think, not worry, as she set foot on her boat
(So bundled up against the wind, in her down coat)
Enough to place her bony fingers on her glass,
And when refills were offered by the men, to say, "I'll pass"?

© Kat Mortensen

Natalie Wood witness says she heard 'Help me, I'm drowning'
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Kat is a Canadian poet, and the author of 'Shadowstalking'. Currently, her poems can be read at Kat Mortensen Poetry

Zoo Game

(To the tune of The Teddy Bear's Picnic)

If you go down to the woods today
In Zanesville, there's a surprise.
If you go down in the woods today,
You'd better go with supplies!

For every bear and wolf and big cat
Is hiding there, and leaving their scat.
Today's the day the Sheriff is going to shoot them.

Shooting time in Ohio,
They didn't set the laws preventing disasters of this kind.
Now they have to track them down,
To try and catch those cats and wolves they find.
See the panic in their eyes,
They wish they had been wise
And stopped this before the scare!
The keeper's dead, the cages are empty
Of every animal,
And now they're hunting in open air!

If you go out in the woods today,
Watch out for the predators;
It's chilly out in the woods today,
But these guys are dressed in furs.
For every bear and wolf and big cat,
Will stalk you for a meal, not a chat.
Today's the day the Sheriff will have to shoot them.

Every tiger and lion that's loose
Is sure to be nabbed today.
Lots of rifles and  bullets are packed,
So nobody gets away.

The schools are closed, the doors have been locked;
There will be blood, so don't you be shocked.
Today's the day the Sheriff is going to shoot them.

Shooting time in Ohio,
They didn't set the laws preventing disasters of this kind.
Now they have to track them down,
To try and catch those cats and wolves they find.
See the panic in their eyes,
They wish they had been wise,
And stopped this before the scare!
The keeper's dead, the cages are empty
Of every animal,
And now they're hunting in open air!

© Kat Mortensen

Three Animals Still Running Free in Zanesville, Ohio: Town Under Lockdown
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Read Kat Mortensen at Kat Mortensen Poetry

Jelly Bean Queen

One day this lovely lass,
May launch a hundred ships.
The world will keep a watch
On what goes to her hips.

That smile could turn for south
When paparrazi press for shots
But now, this bride -to-be
Enjoys the ride with no pit-stops.

The sapphire ring's gone viral;
Her gown will get knocked off.
So far, no downward spiral;
All in good time, (I mustn't scoff).

Some think she is a vision-
New model—right for queen.
Her face is everywhere-
It's captured in a jelly bean!


Kat Mortensen©2011

Bride-to-be in a bean: Kate Middleton's face spotted in sweet

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Kat is a Canadian poet, and the author of 'Shadowstalking'.

The Cock Up

These games are do or die.
Strap a blade on us,
throw us in the ring and place your bets.
You could win maybe ten thousand dollars!

We are killers—los gallos
en la arena—
you stick your neck out—
you get hurt.
When the razor comes down—
on the cock-sure—
they won't be so cocky ...
anymore.

You are standing by, watching us stab
each other for your sport.
You are shouting so loudly, and
nobody
is going to hear
your screams
when I turn the blade that draws so much blood—
and pays the highest dividends—
on you.

Who is "cock-of-the-walk" now, amigo?

©  Kat Mortensen


Rooster stabs man to death at cockfight

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Read Kat Mortensen at Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes