the king of love

once upon this planet earth,
lived a man of humble birth,
preaching love and freedom for his fellow man,

he was dreaming of a day,
peace would come to earth to stay,
and he spread this message all across the land.

turn the other cheek he’d plead,
love thy neighbor was his creed,
pain humiliation death, he did not dread

with his bible at his side,
from his foes he did not hide,
it’s hard to think that this great man is dead. (oh yes)

will the murders never cease,
are thy men or are they beasts?
what do they ever hope, ever hope to gain?

will my country fall, stand or fall?
is it too late for us all?
and did martin luther king just die in vain?

why? (the king of love is dead) by gene taylor
recorded by nina simone, 1967

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sunny, windy
unseasonably cold for la
30 degrees at night
cold even in the daytime
visibility is wonderful
the air has a crispness,
a cleanness about it

the vibrant and bountiful
plantain trees
are not doing well
the older, taller leaves
burnt from the cold
the two bunch of plantain
are still fine though
so too hundreds of ripe oranges
a winter's harvest

it’s late morning,
the sounds float by…
neighbor’s howling dog
piano from the radio
spouse flipping pages of a magazine
baby’s toy
the phone rings
it is ignored

today is especially sacred
a day spent in remembrance of mlk
contemplating racism, violence and greed
a life well lived
and worth living
leaving the world a better place
doing something about global warming

at 11 months
the buddha is very cute
growing so much in every way
physically, mentally, emotionally
young master loves to play
and dance to music
our savior is able to walk quite good
but trips on anything on the ground
and falls down very often
especially when turning
bumps the royal head too much

the world teacher is very vocal
in a language all his own
makes a guttaral "haaw"
to imitate a cow's "moo"
"ba" for ball
and of course "dada"
whenever he sees me
and as a sign of approval
makes other sounds as well
does so much that is missed
by my inattention

baby jad eats everything we eat
loves fruit
banana, pear, avacado
loves chinese, mexican,
italian and indian
does not mind a little spicy
loves soy milk
and like daddy
every kind of bread

lord buddha learns everything
all that i am and do
from eating to dancing
our sun wants to be attended all of the time
cries for his daddy to pick him up
and i of course do

i am mostly at home with him
from time to time
enjoying moments
just watching him

there is a mystery
still present
inside our lord
a sense of wonder
and alertness

we took the master
to the library
and saw how happy he was
watching the huge fish tank
walking in new sorroundings
one with the universe

days blend into nights
nights into days
life is spent
in the company of our charge
mother’s favorite child