Do you remember the time
when that Liberian girl
came and rocked his world?
Now he’s out of our lives.
And it still cuts like a knife.
Beat it! you haters.
Have you seen his childhood?
Go make a change of that
man in the mirror.
For he told us “I’ll be there”.
So his music will forever stay.
And it’s time you realize
that Ben was a friend he called his own.
But he also had acquaintances like
a smooth criminal
named Billie Jean;
and he even knew
a dirty Diana.
I suppose it was human nature.
M.J.,
you were working night and day
to heal the world
and so we just can’t stop loving you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white,
we just hope you are not alone
as the earth sings your songs.
We won’t stop until we get enough.
And we can ride the boogie
for it’s as easy as ABC…1-2-3.
Because you were one of the lost children,
we can see the blood on the dance floor.
But as you do your moon dance:
“They speculate to break the one they hate
Circulate the lie they confiscate
Assassinate and mutilate
The hounding media is in hysteria”
When they could have had you for themselves
they didn’t want you around.
So now they wanna be starting something.
Some say you were bad;
Fans say you’re a thriller;
Diehards wanna scream;
We celebrate your life’s work.
You, the king of pop,
has gone to meet the King of kings.
And so we
Smile
though our hearts are aching
Smile
even though it’s breaking.
Even though we are crying
we still shall
Smile.
After all,
We are the world…
We are the children.

 

Austin G. Henry