Monday, August 31, 2026

Dolly Parton, 19/1/1946 - 25/8/2026

 


Folks — I try to send only on the holy days of the Earth (changes of seasons, full moons) or cultural/political holidays of particular significance. And I send only literary work of my own. But Dolly Parton, a woman of extraordinary beauty - body, mind, and soul - of intelligence and humor, died last week leaving the world better for her being. She brought a 60 year treasure of song and her legendary generosity enriched the hearts of many. She did not see the world through rose-tinted glasses but disdained politics. She sang love and she sang truth to power in a world on fire. Pink was her color. I share with you the Ode to Dolly by a dear friend whose poetry I much admire.  Sing with the angel, Dolly.


Amig@s — procuro enviar mensajes únicamente en fechas benditas a la Tierra (cambios de estación, lunas llenas) o en fiestas culturales o políticas de especial significado. Y solo comparto obra literaria mía. Sin embargo, Dolly Parton — mujer de extraordinaria belleza de cuerpo, mente y alma— de inteligencia y humor, murió la semana pasada, dejando un mundo mejor gracias a su haber sido. Trajo un tesoro de canciones por sesenta años, y su legendaria generosidad enriqueció el corazón de muchos. No veía el mundo con lentes de color de rosa, pero desdeñaba la política; cantó al amor y alzó su voz para decir la verdad al poder en un mundo en llamas. El rosa era su color. Comparto con ustedes la «Oda a Dolly», escrita por una querida amiga cuya poesía admiro mucho. Canta con a los ángeles, Dolly.


                                Ode to Dolly  


Saints come in all sizes and shapes. 
Saints of music are avian wonders
and fly off when called
by a greater song,
as our Dolly who was music aloft,
dancing on stilettos, glittering on her feet, 
to her hair, exhilarating into time and space.
She was a hidden constellation 
behind tantalizing scenes.
She glowed.  
She shimmered. 
She brightened any dull surface
with sparkle.
She polished a song with joy.
She burnished love on troubled hearts. 
She told those who had stopped
believing in dreams coming true,
dream with me a little while,
until my song is through.
Her fairy tale rhymes restored failed Camelots. 
Dawn choruses in search
of a stage found her voice. 
Even flags breathed peace and exhaled 
to half mast.  
She gave the Imagination 
a library, that tells us 
to keep faith, and live the truth 
of who you are. 
That the earth will meet the moon tonight 
in a rusty red shadow
kiss eclipse,
is fitting and right, 
for the swan 
song singer’s 
good night.  


                                   Gail Onion




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