Michael Jackson

i.
in spite of what is said of him
what’s been said of him
what’s believed by some of him

never have I stopped believing in him
loving his music, needing this witness

it’s just that he blew up too big

in this state, living, strained,
suffering for decades

who is without it has no concept
of the pain, of the strain of fame

living too large, too full, too taut
now he’s popped

pin or some point he bumped into
came up against and burst

ii.
Michael has died attempting to outdo himself
but it was difficult to

it proved impossible to out jump himself

after you’ve climbed Everest
you’ve gotten to the very top of the world

only death is a higher peak
speechless when you get to its summit

summer only just started


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
26.06.09