Jonah Raskin, 2006
Posted: April 15th, 2007

Apollo Theater,
mild December morning,
James Brown uptown now
R.I.P. 1923-2006,
body barely cold

coffin splendor caisson drawn,
Around block, down 125th Street
Two white horses, black men high hats,
Outpouring Harlem whole world,
Godfather soul, funk master
rhythm blues boss man band leader,
barefoot boy beyond Georgia dreams.
My own white face, white hands
in thick of proud crowd black street last stand
fingers snapping, feet tapping.