For a poet from a poet

[Stinky The Clown]

America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father’s congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine. Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.

Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. Michelle and I send our prayers and warmest sympathies to her family and all those moved by her song.

I just read this.

You have probably already seen it.

It brought a tear to my eyes.

It says it all.

[nolabear]

1. And the people said "Amen!"

[yonder]

2. Meaningful words from a good man.

The fake prez could take a lesson here, but his comment of "She worked for me" is all the eloquence he could muster.