Aretha

Once she performed it

she made it her own

 With joy we all listened

and marveled atoned

Endowed from the heavens

the Angels in awe

Her spirit celestial

your nerve endings raw

A voice for all seasons

Grand Madam of sound

To search for a lifetime

her like never found

While crossing each genre

she made time a slave

Her stylings eternal

— a gift heaven gave

(For Aretha Franklin: January, 2024)