Songstress

Songstress

~

and so songstress
I think of you
and wonder

what was the fire
that burned so bright
and raged so fierce
as to consume complete

that in its heat
and ferocity
could not sustain
your tenderness of youth
until it became
much too much
for you to bear

yet still I hear
your silken voice
rising
to joy
to freedom
to love

to lust and longing
to heartache
to impatience
to immortality

your soulful siren sound
calling from the rooftops
over new york city

so seductive
the breathless passion
the bliss
and sorrow
of bittersweet innocence

when your wonder
stirred to every mystery
and your spirit lit
to every spark
igniting the fury in your soul

so brightly it burned
filled with red yellow honey
sassafras and moonshine
in a roaring sweet blindness
an inferno of creativity

ultimately
to leave you spent
at the stony end

and so
crying angel
I think of you
sweet songstress

remembering

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2020

To check out more poems at The Sunday Muse: CLICK HERE

to me the most beautiful song Laura wrote

10 thoughts on “Songstress”

  1. She was amazing, wasn’t she? So passionate and full of heart in her singing, and so creative in her song writing. I always loved “I Never Meant To Hurt You” too. To me, First Songs, New York Tendaberry, and Christmas & the Beads of Sweat are as fine a trio of albums as anyone has ever produced. I also like “Eli” but not as much as the other 3. The one with Labelle eluded me a bit, I found the back-up singers a little screechy, though I know she was going for that street corner vibe. I would have really loved “The Bells” if Laura had just sung it on her own. Anyway, she was a singular talent and is greatly missed.

    1. I was trying to leave this gush over your “Greening The Jade” tonight — but your site just wasn’t having it. Your piece is spectacular Shay. Your heart right there, inked out in love and deep emotion. It is so absolutely captivating that I shed a sweet tear. All this evening and here into the night I have been listening to Laura and drifting back to those days. She was so special, and so fucking talented — she just explodes liked fireworks when she sings… and what a poet! Wow! She left much too soon. Oooh oooh child…

      1. Hey Rob. Moderation kicks in after three days at my place, to foil spammers. Your comment is up, now. Thanks so much, both for the lovely comment itself, and for the extra effort in making sure I saw it. Have a great week!

  2. This is a beautiful capturing and ode’ to her life and talent. A lovely and amazing Songstress she was indeed and so is your wonderful poetry Rob! Blessing to you and yours this season, and we do look forward to seeing you in 2021!

  3. Nice tribute, Rob. Nice songs too, I like best her “Stoned Soul Picnic” best, the 5th Dimension sang it to my likes (back then).
    ..

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