1.20.2012

Etta James Poetic Mash-Up - writercize #154

One of my absolute favorite singers, Etta James, died today. (photo courtesy wikipedia) She had one of those voices filled with soul and spirit that is just low enough a normal person can still hum along in the kitchen without feeling too self-conscious, and I could always count on her to put me in the writing mood.

Her life may not have been an easy one, born to fourteen year old mother, running away when she herself was fourteen, and falling into the trap of drugs and addiction, but somehow she was able to transcend everything with her music. Through her songs, she reached out and touched the hearts of people of all ages, socio-economic status and ethnicities, not only in the United States but throughout the world. Her vocal chords had the power to build bridges between humans.

In her honor, I am asking you to create a writercize poetry mash-up of her songs.

writercize: Incorporating words from at least three of the Etta James song titles below, create an original piece of poetry. 

It does not need to be a tribute; you can move words around and add as many of your own as you like. Any style of poetry is ok!

(song titles from album "My Greatest Songs" released 1992 by MCA)
  • "Something's Got a Hold On Me
  • "Sunday Kind of Love
  • "Pushover"
  • "Miss Pitiful"
  • "Trust in Me"
  • "Spoonful"
  • "Tell Mama"
  • "At Last"
  • "Payback"
  • "Security"
  • "I'd Rather Go Blind"
  • "I Just Want to Make Love to You"
  • "Stop the Wedding"
  • "Two Sides (To Every Story)"
  • "I Found Love"
  • "It's All Right"

Leave your take on the writercize as a comment or share a link to the answer in your blog!

Please click "read more" for writercizer sample response.
writercizer sample response:

"give it all to mama"

oh little child of mine
you think i don't see that scowl,
those tensed up toes?
you runnin' for little miss pitiful child?

why don't you just tell mama
what's been buggin' you
and leave them sad eyes
with me?

you've only got a few more years
to be young and free and small
and i'd rather go blind
than to watch you fall

so trust in me to take them fears
them troubles
that sadness in your brow

just tell mama
and feel some freedom
in your sweet small soul

4 comments:

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