"We Had Him" Dr. Maya Angelou's poem for Michael Jackson

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing

Now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace

Sing our songs among the stars and and walk our dances across the face of the moon

In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing

No clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides

With the abrupt absence of our treasure

Though we our many, each of us is achingly alone

Piercingly alone

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him

He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance

Despite the anguish of life he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style

We had him

Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was our’s and we were his

We had him

Beautiful, delighting our eyes

He raked his hat slant over his brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us and we laughed and stomped our feet for him

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing

He gave us all he had been given

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana’s Blackstar Square, in Johannesburg, in Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson

But we do know that we had him

And we are the world.

London Chimp supporters of MJ protest over Memorial ticket lottery results

A zoo was evacuated on Sunday after about 30 chimpanzees escaped from their enclosure after news that none of them had received tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th in Los Angeles.
The animals escaped from 'Chimp Island' and found their way into a keeper area where their food is prepared, the zoo said.
More than 5,000 visitors were asked to leave Chester Zoo, near Liverpool, shortly after the break-out as keepers rounded up the chimps.
"We have never seen the chimps react with such public disregard and abandonment. Some of them were personal friends of Bubbles, the chimpanzee who was a longtime companion to Michael Jackson. Many of the chimps had planned to attend the London premier of the Michael Jackson concert as special guests.
"In the interests of public safety Chester Zoo was evacuated today, Sunday 5th July, as a precautionary measure," the zoo said.
In a prepared statement, the chimps apologized for the disappointment caused to guests and offered to provide a refund or free future visit to the zoo. The zoo has more than 7,000 animals.

Michael Jackson Turns 50!

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson! You Make 50 look Great!
I am 4 days older than Michael Jackson. I first saw him when we were 10 years old, in Chicago at the Regal Theatre. The Jackson 5 were appearing with other Motown acts. I can't tell you who they were--but of the five boys I saw I never forgot Michael. I remember they performed "I Got the Feeling" by James Brown. Michael was the youngest and most talented.

The next time I saw Michael Jackson in person we were 14 years old. The J5 were performing at Chicago's Black Expo at the Amphitheater. The Commodores opened for them. I simply adored the show. I briefly met Michael and his brothers. I determined at that time I would marry him. During my teenage years I papered my bedroom walls with pics of he and his brothers. I stopped posting his pics at about 17, but continued following his music career. I had to be his biggest fan. I still wanted to marry him.

He recorded the "Off the Wall" album and his look changed dramatically. His talent was the same but with every new album his outer appearance changed drastically. He was so unrecognizable that I finally determined that I would not be marrying him after all--he seemed too "pretty" to be a husband.

Michael Jackson has had a phenomenal musical and acting career. He has been a husband. He is the father of 3 children, Prince Michael, Paris & Blanket. He has had wonderful life experiences. He has had horrific pain. I am still a fan.

My favorites songs: "I Want You Back" "ABC" "The Love You Save" "Got to be There" "Ben" "Off the Wall" "Thriller" "Billie Jean" "Beat It" "Bad" "Man in the Mirror" "We Are the World"

How will I celebrate his birthday? Barbeque? Party? Naw, I'll just enjoy my memories and listen to his music. Happy Birthday, Michael Jackson. May you be blessed with many more.