The song is...: Rita Marie Recine

With Canadian poet Rita Marie Racine's "Tears for a Nation," the Mourning and Memory contest concludes. I think that the contest's poems have shown great diversity, including the personal as well as the political. Unfortunately, political poems will always be relevant--until we change our ways, but this is a good time to end the contest. Watch this space for information about voting.

Tears for a Nation

First there were the first and second world war, titanic, September 11 2001
To name a few

These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour, for a nation, for the red, white and blue

A happy humble day became fretful and grey.
As I today remember, I knelt down and proceeded to pray.

These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour, for a nation, for the red, white and blue.

With purpose they rescued, shed tears battled their fears.
Where there is calamity, catastrophe there is no ending and no start.

I wept for the men and women with the golden hearts as I too fell apart
Many lives irreversibly taken away, families weeping, young ones sleeping.

These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour, for a nation, for the red, white and blue
Survivors attempted to cope with this piece of history/
In thoughts and misery

There is a monument known worldwide.
A place where our fallen angels lay.

These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour,
for a nation, for the red, white and blue

A tribute to our finest heroes and heroines..
priceless relationships cherished.,.
Together they perished.

These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour..
for a nation, for the red, white and blue..

All came together, no way out.
Love for the fellowman was what it was all about.
There is a memorial I ponder upon today..
I remember and pray for all.

Those persons whose fate and natural life had changed that day..
These were the days when the world cried for our neighbour, for a nation, for the red, white and blue.

The flags are proudly suspended.
Any and all challenged with all their might, together they made it right.
For me,,for you for our fallen heroes and heroines for the red , white and blue.

Ritamarie Recine
May 25, 2015

For my father

I saw

I saw joy
I saw pride in your heart and soul.
When we were so very small.
My little feet ran through the corridor hall.
You stood so grand and tall.

I know the love you had for your family,
It was perfect not an anomaly.

I saw the rain when you felt pain,

I saw the tiredness you felt,
 after coming home from an arduous day.

Fatigue in your face,
Every line,  every trace.

I saw inspiration, dedication.
I saw the light in your eyes so clear, so blue.

My childhood,
 so carefree, full of fun.

You taught me how to skate and run.
For my father,
 ,I saw

Kites I did fly
Up high,
 reaching the threshold of the heavens

I saw your eyes,
 the window to your soul.

Obstacles unable to  foresee.
My love for you will forever be.

The essence of time may have passed me by
Remembering ,  recollecting.

I can never forget your struggle.
Tears never cease.
For my father 
I saw

Pulling at my heartstrings no matter how I try.,
A positive thought I shall write,
Your image, your strength, your stories in my mind,
Often comes my way.

This is what I wish to carry with me today.
For my father,
I saw

Ritamarie Recine

I also want to include Rita Marie's tribute to Janis Joplin.  I think that it's the third such that I've included and the first by a woman.  Years ago I read a biography of Janis, and in it the author commented that both men and women felt like Janis was singing to them.  This was not always the case with other female musicians.

Heaven must be rockin out tonight
A tribute to Janis Joplin

Driving in her Mercedes Benz
Nothing left to lose. 
Smoking a cigarette , smiling. 
The young Janis had found her way.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight
A tribute to Janis Joplin

A star was born.
A native of Texas  .. so long ago
The 60s the 70s

She takes center stage.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight.

The band must be great 
You got legends Janis, BB, Jimi and maybe   even Bobby McGee.


Flower child ….  Girl  power.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight
Known as Pearl among her friends
moving rocking doing her thing
amidst her storms , 
the sun does shine
her voice leaves an echo , shouting..
She was called weierd .. I say different….
I say soulful , I say special …
Heaven must be rockin out today

The bravado of her voice can be heard for miles.
rage of  light, in the  starry night.

her own person, artistry a tapestry
She was taunted  a child music  was her medicine.
Removed the pain offered gain.
.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight


You were  the legend who never slept, flower child. 
Appeared  so wild, yet so mild..
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

Her only number  one hit was me and bobby mc gee..

I wonder what happened to old Bobby McGee..
When we hear this song we think of Janis Joplin.
Artistry, a legend a tapestry.
Heaven must  be rockin out tonight





She sang for the world admired by all … 
went home alone.
Many thought she was weird  ..
 she was different.

A child so misunderstood, 
Woodstock, soulful, flower child
she fought , struggled with all her might .
She gained  , was pained.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight


No  one did see
The  young girl from Texas.  
Her  heart bled ..tears were shed .
Her  songs say it all, happy sad, joyful or not.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

With flowers in her hair  ……not having any cares.
san francisco to Texas ..
 she travelled about
she sang and sang .
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

her guitar strumming to the music
where was I in the 60s an d70s?
A young child…. Wish I was there?.
A wonder .. people gave out and applaud,
shouted from the top of the monument until sundown

You were perfect  and so young..young Janis  

Heaven must be rockin out tonight

Your natural  life was tragically taken away.
Little girl of Texas , you did not lose your fight.
You’re   perfect after all,
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

Seemed wild
  were so mild.
You  achieved much  in your young life.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

You left an imprint in people s lives
Yesterday and today 
Heaven must be rockin out tonight

One more time before the storm she sang her last song.
Heaven must be rocking out tonight
That fretful  day,  
oh so young, 
a legend was taken away.
Heaven must be rockin out tonight
 
Rita Marie Recine
June 21 2015

Rita has also written a tribute to B.B. King.  It was previously published in Valeri Beers' Poetry Pasta:

A salute to BB King Remembering 16 – From gospel music to the blues To you we salute Inducted into the Hall of Fame Everybody knew your name The thrill is now gone . We have won Time to rest, playing up in heaven with the best Formerly known as the three kings The thrill is gone We have won Legendary artist of all time Among other things The thrill is gone With your music we have won You were the champion no one can forget You were the boss .. You played guitar with such class A legend like no other Your music touched many lives Children fathers and mothers A friend to the music industry No one can replace You sang the tune Reaching for the stars, sun and moon Many felt the love now you will be singing and strumming up above The thrill is gone Let the good times roll The thrill is gone Let the good times continue day by day. With your music we dance and sway To have heard your music is to love Similar to the sweet sound of a dove The thrill is gone With your music we have already won You are the legend you are the king Who made people laugh dance and sing You have sung happy birthday, a celebration From every walk of life from the rich to the poor you made us smile From generation to generation The thrill is gone As you walk with the Lord, he hears your wonderful song All rejoice in harmony for the thrill on earth may be gone
RitaMarieRecine