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Michael Jackson's Glove Sold at Auction

Missing image
And so the pillaging begins, as usual,
With the coffin barely in the ground;
Smelling decay, the carrion descend
To the gavel’s sweet, sweet sound.

All that he was to us or might have been
Will be swept away by the winds of time
But fat, greedy hands will search till then
For anything that might turn a dime.

Elvis, Marilyn, James Dean and River,
The list of the lost goes on and on.
They gave us everything they had
Even as they were being set upon.

Fame and fortune are double-edged,
To be at once loved and resented.
Why else would it be so common
For the famous to die so tormented?

What he did wrong and what he did right
Are now for his god to weigh and measure
And those who relished tabloid torment
Must use someone else’s pain for pleasure.

So God's speed, Michael, and thank you.
I'll always remember who you tried to be
And singing Ben together when I was ten
When the world was new for you, and me.






Author notes

I do have fond memories of singing along with MJ songs, but I actually don't have a deep respect for him or the mess he made of what should have been a great life. What I do have is a deep disrespect for the way celebrities are treated in this culture. The total lack of compassion and rush to judgment. The feeling that because they're famous they don't deserve the same courtesy a normal person would receive. I also have no respect for the brainless dopes who buy tabloids and feel inwardly gleeful reading about the misfortune of stars whose art they have enjoyed for years so that they can feel better about their own purposeless lives. There's a play called Tartuffe by Moliere that has some lines that apply, I think.

Madame, this world would be a joyless place
If, fearing what malicious tongues might say,
We closed our doors and turned our friends away.
Even if we did so dreary a thing,
Do you think those tongues would stop their chattering?
You can't fight slander, it's a losing battle.
Let us instead ignore their tittle-tattle.
When there's a chance for libel, they never miss it.
When something can be made to seem illicit,
They're off at once to spread the joyous news,
Adding to fact what fantasy they choose
So that their own black guilt might come to seem
Part of a general, shady color scheme.

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1 - 18 of 18

  • AusStar
    September 29

    Edit | Reply

    Very Good

    My Goodness, I've not been on All poetry for ages, but thought I'd pop in and see whats happening, this is a very good poem and expresses exactly the carry on after a celebreties death that I have not time for, but what I agree with the most is the sentiments you have expressed in your notes, exactly my sentiments as well. I never buy gossip magazines, and I hate that they pry into peoples lives. I can't understand though how there are people who really want to know what is going on in these people lives, they should get their own lives!!


  • Grunts Girl gold member
    September 17

    Edit | Reply
    The poem is really well done.
    The man who is the subject is one I am not fond of but eh he became an icon.

    i am torn between feeling sorry for him never finding himself or path he was happy with - truely
    and then there is the side of me that said good riddens

    what upset me the most about his death was he just had to die when a wonderful woman died of cancer. Farah.
    She deserved the spotlight and her story should have been the one on the front and center news but she was too boring, too wonderful and cancer? guess its not that big enough a deal= which pissed me off. She was an incredible woman and in away her passing without much notice was maybe for the best... who knows
    but for her to be upstaged by a f*cked up monster looking screwed up 9 year old wanna be who believes we should all go to bed with children created conflict within me.....
    hmmm maybe i said too much

    ok shutting up now.


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 17

      Edit | Reply
      You have inspired me to look further into what she said about cancer and dying. I didn't realize all that. You're right - how we behave and what we give when our lives are ending can make amends for any mistakes we might have made living it.

      • Grunts Girl gold member
        September 17
        Edit | Reply
        well i have to pull it short at any mistakes...
        there are those mistakes that do matter even if one dies a hero or whatever...

        being on dope at times and being a celeb just seem to go hand in hand with then rehab- however, if she had committed some sort of violent crime or crime that did harm to another instead of just herself (well even if her kid did come out all screwed up..) those types of things would make me just shake my head and say 'what a shame'.... i would feel sorry for someone who found the right path but out of fear of death for grave errors in life.

        maybe thats the cop in me... dunno.... i have the weirdest way to compartmentalize shit

        it would be great wouldnt it if all poeple could live productive healthy lives with mistakes that are recoverable and ones learned from without the harm coming to themselves or others
        but me thinks thats only in movies lol

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 17
      Edit | Reply
      haha - no problem. I know what you mean. I was conflicted about him, too, though I'm not sure he was a molester as much as someone with a mental problem that made him want to be a child forever. This poem is more about how the world can twist people into someone they no longer recognize, or, in Michael's case, anyone else can recognize. Who would have ever guessed that the boy at the top of this page would become the man at the bottom?

      Re. Farrah, I remember her going on talk shows high as a kite on something or other and she never seemed to be much more than a self-pitying has-been. Then she was considered a saint when she got cancer and everyone talked about her like she was Mother Teresa or something. I didn't get that one, either. Remember her short-lived reality show? I was shocked at how shallow she was. She died with much more dignity than she showed in life, at least in her public appearances. Sorry if I'm insulting someone you thought well of but I saw her and Michael as messed up in different ways.

      Ok shutting up now. lol Take care.

      Mark

      • Grunts Girl gold member
        September 17
        Edit | Reply
        I hear you definately

        All I appreciated more than anything out of her dying / death moments was the information

        Being a cancer survivor myself, I understood the trials and tribulations of our horrible health care system in regards to 'health' and cancer. She did bring light to the fact that treating illness is about treating the whole along with isolating the problem. I had looked outside of the country as well and saw information regarding that german hospital and their practice of treating tumors. Fortunately mine reacted to treatment here and I am fine now... but she did bring light to other methods and for that at least in her death she tried to help and she tried to educate. I remember shaving my head- i wish that i had seen her bravery and how she handled the situation before I did it... I know it would have helped to have a roll model so to speak-- though my friends and i did make it fun and i had a killer purple mowhawk for a half a day.
        No one speaks too much or shows too much of the actual battle of cancer and she did... she showed the moments of sickness, nausea, weakness, irritability, and other awful moments that many hide... I guess It makes me able to forgive her for all her shortcomings in life.

        i do totally get what you are saying though


  • Chuck Johnson silver member
    September 10

    Edit | Reply

    Hi Mark

    I have extremely mixed feelings about MJ. One his whole body makeover reflects a deep seated problem, and his payoff instead of trail in the case of child molestation. But, there can be no doubt that like so many crazed but gifted children, he was a master of his art. I too feel for his unfortunate demise, one because I had hoped some day he would get his day in court and because his art was appreciated even by an old cowboy like myself. I also feel for the fans who are now without any further music from him.


  • Nicada silver member
    September 9

    Edit | Reply
    So much truth here! It is a sad way to treat someone who, as you say here, has given their all, and given us so much entertainment and joy. It does seem that many people want to focus on the troubles of someone else so that they do not have to look at their own problems and faults. You did a great job here. Blessings, Patty

  • ocerus
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    Well done! It's even better than the one about Elvis. You also included a few words I had to think to define. Maybe I'm conceited but that always got me. Also, while the one about Elvis was kind of a bumpy ride, this one was smooth as silk, and carried the story about Micheal with smooth objectivity and class. Well done! Also, how are things your way? I hope they're good. Remember, almost anything can be cured by hitting a chicken with a baseball bat! Seriously, I do hope things have turned your way. God Bless!!!

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 8
      Edit | Reply
      Hey Ocer,

      Thanks, buddy. The Elvis poem is being converted into a song and recorded. Hopefully the musician can smooth out the "bumps". Then again, that poem takes place on Route 66, which is very bumpy. That's why I put the bumps in the poem. lol The Elvis poem will also be in a book about Elvis. I'll put the link up on my author page when it's available at stores.

      What word did you have to look up? Don't tell me it was "carrion". You should have known that being a chicken beater. lol

      Thanks again Ocereeno. Hope you're doing well, too.

      M


  • Ethereal One gold member
    September 8

    Edit | Reply

    excellent expression

    This is a wonderful poem you have written about the greedy ones that hover around just waiting for a tragedy to happen so they can cash in on it. It is very sad how so many famous people die so young and this is a fine tribute to all of them, especially Michael.

    I will remember his talent and his gentle soul.

    Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

    Jeannette

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 8
      Edit | Reply
      Hi Jeanette,

      Thanks for "getting it" and not making the assumption that this is a "celebrity worship" poem, which it definitely isn't. I'm not convinced that MJ was a child molester. I really think he was just mentally stunted and wanted to be a child his entire life. Why else would he name his home "never-never land"? He suffered from a serious lack of judgment by sharing a bed with children, but I think there were a few parents who decided to try to cash in on it. Of course, that begs the question of why they let their children spend the night at an adult's house in the first place. Obviously, if it had been someone who wasn't famous, they would have been vehemently opposed to the very thought. The carrion were circling when he was alive, and they're circling now in even greater numbers.

      Hope you're doing well. Thanks again for your kind comments.

      Mark

  • DestinyFate
    September 8
    Edit | Reply
    Great write on Michael but I really loved your notes or opions rather on the whole situation.

  • Mark Rickerby gold member
    September 7
    Edit | Reply
    Hey Mike,

    Thanks for the kind comment.

    I do have fond memories of singing along with MJ songs, but I actually don't have a deep respect for him or the mess he made of what should have been a great life. What I do have is a deep disrespect for the way celebrities are treated in this culture. The total lack of compassion and rush to judgment. The feeling that because they're famous they don't deserve the same courtesy a normal person would receive. I also have no respect for the brainless dopes who buy tabloids and feel inwardly gleeful reading about the misfortune of stars whose art they have enjoyed for years so that they can feel better about their own purposeless lives. There's a play called Tartuffe by Moliere that has some lines that apply, I think.

    Madame, this world would be a joyless place
    If, fearing what malicious tongues might say,
    We closed our doors and turned our friends away.
    Even if we did so dreary a thing,
    Do you think those tongues would stop their chattering?
    You can't fight slander, it's a losing battle.
    Let us instead ignore their tittle-tattle.
    When there's a chance for libel, they never miss it.
    When something can be made to seem illicit,
    They're off at once to spread the joyous news,
    Adding to fact what fantasy they choose.
    So that their own black guilt might come to seem
    Part of a general, shady color scheme.

    I hope you're doing well and enjoying the three day weekend!

    Mark


  • Barry Hodges
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    A touching tribute. But I never understand celebrity worship. I suppose we should be grateful it was only his glove which got sold.........

    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 7
      Edit | Reply
      Hey Barry,

      As my response to WW above says, I don't worship any celebrities, either. This poem is more about the crassness of society towards them. But you're right - if they could sell off his teeth and other body parts one at a time, I'm sure they would, and I'm sure there would be buyers.


  • Wandering Woodchuck silver member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    This is a very well constructed poem. The rhyming is flawless. I can easily see in your words the deep respect and fond memories that you have of the subject. Although I do not generally feel the same about celebrities, I have always remembered where I was when John Lennon was killed even though he was not my favorite artist.

    Great job.

    Mike

  • Dream-Cloud-Walker
    September 7

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    The words are so heart felt and so true. The desire to be famous, to be loved and accepted, yet used and tormented. This poem says is all simply yet in such depth.
    It is beautiful, thank you for sharing.

1 - 18 of 18