Sketchbook  Tributes to James Brown

 

1933-2006

 

Free Verse Sally Evans, UK James Brown When they shot Martin Luther King, James Brown kept the people calm. The President asked him to the White House to thank him for keeping them calm. So James said, Your house may be White, and my name it is Brown, but the colour we see is our music when we go to town.

 

Free Verse Karina Klesko, US the spins, the quick shuffles, the knee-drops James Brown in motion— a meteor has streaked through the universe

 

 

A kwansaba for James Brown Nnorom Azuonye, UK Say it loud, Mr Brown   A great tree whose leaves scented hearts has fallen; it fell on Christmas day. The great spirit works fresh new grooves, ageless words gifted life with rapid feet cheered by the welcome party; Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, chanting, "Say it loud, you're black and great."

 

 

A Kwansaba poem for James Brown Trish Shields, CA Coming Home 'I feel good' was etched in stone For all who would listen moments after The words left his mouth, making his Years of ups and downs fall away, leaving us with an image of grace, Fancy feet, coifed hair and a smile So large that we felt it, too.

 

 

Free Verse Kiarra Lynn Smith James Brown eintou That scream of soul echoes Papa's got brand new song Spreading groove throughout the heavens Strutting cloak of gold, light Soul's godfather Still jams

 

 

John Tiong Chunghoo Free Verse black and white memory james brown, who always serenaded me to dream kingdom in his late night shows

 

 

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