Needle

More than a thing in a haystack

often associated with Cleopatra

herself having no connection to you

in London, Paris or New York

 

You’re the sole reason

Momma and Daddy

groovin’ in Oklahoma

were ever soul mates

 

And Aretha Franklin

could confess to Memphis

she never loved a man

the way she loves you

 

And Marvin Gaye

was heard in DC

protesting what’s going on

up and down the land

 

And Al Green

could remind Arkansas

his greatest hits

promoted love and happiness

 

And Curtis Mayfield

live from the Bitter End

was able to tell Chicago

he planned to stay a believer

 

And Dusty Springfield

then in Memphis

for just a little lovin’

was finally heard in London

 

And Jimi Hendrix

was heard asking Seattle

and all of planet Earth:

“Are you experienced?”

 

And Otis Redding

could inform Georgia

he was blue

from loving you too long

 

And Stevie Wonder

though blind

could articulate to Detroit

his keen innervisions

 

And James Brown

was heard in the Carolinas

after going crazy

live at the Apollo

 

And Roberta Flack

was heard there too

first take after first take

but compared to what?

 

More than a thing in a haystack

often associated with Cleopatra

herself having no connection to you

in London, Paris or New York

 

You’re the sole reason

all tomorrow’s parties had life

and the sole reason

all tomorrow’s parties had soul

 

*Listen to the Needle playlist created by the poem’s author on Spotify*