.
.
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
J. Stephen Whitney reads his poem at its conclusion.
.
.
___
.
.
Aretha Franklin, 1968/photo via Picryl
.
.
Dear Aretha
we need you to sing Respect for us right now
not tomorrow, not 24 hours before the earth explodes
not 24 hours before the sun dies
not 24 hours before the moon erases itself
from the black skin of the sky
and the darkness of night leads us over a cliff
we need you to sing it right now
make the “RE” blow up the cloud hanging over us
make the “SP” dissolve the cloud’s shrapnel that landed
on the lip of the moon
make the “ECT” turn into a sun that will shine on us
when we learn to sing Respect for ourselves
.
Listen to J. Stephen Whitney read his poem
.
.
___
.
.
.
Stephen Whitney is a Portland, Oregon writer who takes a strong approach to his creativity and has a genuine desire to write. His work has appeared in a wide variety of journals and anthologies. He looks to the spontaneity of jazz for creative inspiration.
.
.
Watch the lyric video of “Respect” by Aretha Franklin from the album ‘I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You’ (1967). “Respect” was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, but it was the Aretha Franklin version that became an anthem of the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements during its ascent to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. [Official Video]
.
.
.
___
.
.
Click for:
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
War. Remembrance. Walls. The High Price of Authoritarianism – by editor/publisher Joe Maita
“The Sound of Becoming,” J.C. Michaels’ winning story in the 70th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter
Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
.
___
.
.
Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999
.
.
.
