David Starkey
Santa Barbara Poet Laureate
Winner of SBSPW Poetry Contest
Prayer for MJ
--by David Starkey
May you forget your unkind
father, your faulty surgeons,
and your accusers,
whether they were just
or false. Forget the tabloid
photographers and the late-
night comedians for whom
you were the easiest
of punchlines. Indeed,
whether your wish it
or not, the Lethean waters
will wash away even
your triumphs: the robot
and the moonwalk, the red
leather jacket and the single
sparkling glove. All
that's left now is to take
your first step into time-
lessness, that magic kingdom
you've longed for since childhood
where no one ever grows old.