RHYTHM AND RHYME

RHYTHM AND RHYME When music and poetry collide That’s when the magic starts to jive The rhythm, the rhyme They Superglide like cream de la cream of some artistic dream mating cosmic airwaves birthing meaning to life, assorted covers of war with strife, They bring it alive Our hunger for passion, In lyrical fashions, the background stage sent directly to ears Like total ambrosia, Calming our fears Or waking the dead From complacent slumber Igniting combustion From a dying ember With twice the power Of simple poetry Rhythm and rhyme Our favorite authority It can make you cry It can make you laugh Makes you feel better when you’re out of cash, It’s in your face Get out of my way A point of refuge, When you’ve had a bad day. It can be sympathetic A shoulder to cry on, It can cry along with you When you feel like dying. It’s cause for celebration When you’re feeling good It can make you do things That you know you should. * This list is extensive And some I’ve forgotten But all have touched me, my soul to enlighten They’re part of my history. They all played a part. I hold them all close, like old lovers in my heart. * Yeah, all the greats, that came and went And for all of those who still are present, It’s for their lyrics I sing my praise I’m thankful for the gifts they bring I’m thankful that they write and sing, I dedicate this poem to all of them: * Bob Dylan Tom Waits Iggy Pop Root boy slim Frank Zappa Captain Beefheart Lou Reed Bob Marley Lucinda Williams Neil Young Van Morrison Jim Morrison Warren Zevon Stevie nicks Don Henley Bruce Cockburn David Francey Patti Smith Alanis Morrisette Anni DeFranco Natalie Merchant Damien Dempsey Jennifer Warren Sade Tracy Chapman Steve Winwood Shakira Christina Alguilara Shania Twain Sinead O’Conner Sonny Landreth Stevie Ray Vaughn Jimmy Vaughn Suzy Boggus Tanya Tucker Jimmy Buffett James Taylor Steve Earle Emmy Lou Harris John Hiatt John Prine Sufjan Stevens James Blunt David Bowie Kate Bush Elvis Costello Jerry Jeff Walker Gary P. Nunn Willie Nelson Brian Adams Eddie Money Kris Kristofferson Waylon Jennings Hank Williams Robert Johnson Harry Nilson Jagger -Richards John Lennon Jeff & Tim Buckley Billy Joe Armstrong Kurt Cobain Sheryl Crow Joni Mitchell John Fogerty Lady GaGa Sophie B. Hawkins Jimi Hendrix Jack Johnson Norah Jones Tori Amos Janis Joplin Ricky Lee Jones Loretta Lynn Jack White Robert Earl Keen John Mellencamp Buck Owens Dwight Yoakum Johnny Cash Tom Petty Liz Phair Prince Bonnie Rait Johnny Rotten Bob Seger Bruce Springsteen Taylor Swift Steven Tyler Usher Brian Wilson Billy Bragg Shane McGowan Marriane Faithful Robyn Hitchcock Elton John & Bernie Taupin Wynonna Judd And Beck Beth Orton Guy Clark Fred Neil Jackson Brown Nelly Furtado Tori Amos Leadbelly Mans Liscomb Muddy Waters George Jones Howlin Wolf Clarence Gatemouth Brown Buddy Guy Roy Orbison Joey Ramone Bryan Ferry Joe Strummer Chuck Proffit Allison Krause Mark Knopfler Merle Haggard Odetta Pam Tillis Patti Scialfa Patty Loveless Paul Simon Peter Gabriel Robbie Roberson Robert Cray Keb Mo Rory Gallagher Rosanne Cash David Allen Coe Delbert McClinton Dolly Parton Fred Koller Cyndi Lauper Ray Charles Marvin Gaye John Lee Hooker Otis Rush Elmore James Johnny Lange Gregg Allman Freddy Mercury Robert Plant Eric Clapton Eric Burdon Jimmy Page Shawn Kingston