Tribute to Michael Jackson

As a child I had no clue what he sang about.

But I do remember his CD, on the cover of which were his piercing dark eyes. And I do remember watching video clips filled with different coloured people, moon walks and scary monsters with fangs. And of course, how could I forget the beautiful background music of that iconic moment when the orca finally leapt to freedom?

Hold me
Love me and feed me
Kiss me and free me
I will feel blessed
(Will you be there?)

Later, his voice would often send shivers down my spine, sometimes moisten my eyes, and always makes me feel rejuvenated with hope and passion for living. His words brought people together. His songs broke language and cultural barriers. They were about sorrow, human compassion, common understandings, and were constant reminders to the people of this world of the great potentials if we could only forget petty differences and prejudices.

Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, Sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, Kike me
Don't you black or white me
(They Don't Care About Us)

Despite the fame and riches he enjoyed, he continued to sing, and do so with soul and a very human touch. Sometimes even uniting with other talented musicians and artists to champion peace, spread love, and promote respect for this home we call Earth.

What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores?
(Earth Song)

His actions and songs advocated noble causes, or maybe even impossible dreams in the state of decay and war we find ourselves in today. But he reminded us, with his moves, his trademark shrieks, and that cheeky smile and those eaglespread arms about the little steps that can affect change.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
(Man in the mirror)

It is no wonder that millions have been swept away by the King of Pop, and that millions will now mourn and weep at his loss. He cautioned people against the blindness of hatred, reminded us about the sorrow that unites us all as much as happiness and hope, about the forgotten and the downtrodden. He spoke to people’s hearts with such personal and emotional depth. Because “It Don't Matter If You're/Black Or White”, ask yourself

How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside?
(Stranger in Moscow)

Michael Jackson may be gone, may have lived the last years of his life in obscurity and media induced negative publicity, but no doubt his songs, his music, and that soft, soft voice will continue to move the world.

And… perhaps one day even heal it.

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me
(Heal the world)

Tribute to Michael Jackson

As a child I had no clue what he sang about.

But I do remember his CD, on the cover of which were his piercing dark eyes. And I do remember watching video clips filled with different coloured people, moon walks and scary monsters with fangs. And of course, how could I forget the beautiful background music of that iconic moment when the orca finally leapt to freedom?

Hold me
Love me and feed me
Kiss me and free me
I will feel blessed
(Will you be there?)

Later, his voice would often send shivers down my spine, sometimes moisten my eyes, and always makes me feel rejuvenated with hope and passion for living. His words brought people together. His songs broke language and cultural barriers. They were about sorrow, human compassion, common understandings, and were constant reminders to the people of this world of the great potentials if we could only forget petty differences and prejudices.

Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, Sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, Kike me
Don't you black or white me
(They Don't Care About Us)

Despite the fame and riches he enjoyed, he continued to sing, and do so with soul and a very human touch. Sometimes even uniting with other talented musicians and artists to champion peace, spread love, and promote respect for this home we call Earth.

What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores?
(Earth Song)

His actions and songs advocated noble causes, or maybe even impossible dreams in the state of decay and war we find ourselves in today. But he reminded us, with his moves, his trademark shrieks, and that cheeky smile and those eaglespread arms about the little steps that can affect change.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
(Man in the mirror)

It is no wonder that millions have been swept away by the King of Pop, and that millions will now mourn and weep at his loss. He cautioned people against the blindness of hatred, reminded us about the sorrow that unites us all as much as happiness and hope, about the forgotten and the downtrodden. He spoke to people’s hearts with such personal and emotional depth. Because “It Don't Matter If You're/Black Or White”, ask yourself

How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside?
(Stranger in Moscow)

Michael Jackson may be gone, may have lived the last years of his life in obscurity and media induced negative publicity, but no doubt his songs, his music, and that soft, soft voice will continue to move the world.

And… perhaps one day even heal it.

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me
(Heal the world)

Ptown

I stood in the middle of the sea. Or so it seemed. The wind swept my face, as droplets of rain and the salty sea danced around me. The sprays felt cool and calming, and with each breath I felt rejuvenated with the refreshing smell of the great outdoors. In the distance, behind a veil of mist and dew lay a sleepy little town, hidden from sight.

Early Sunday, and together with a friend I ventured onto the rocky causeway that stretched across the bay. The night before, I sat on the same causeway under the cover darkness. Save for the softness of my own breathing, the sucking rhythm of the sea sounded like a low gratifying sigh in the darkness. The stars hid, and but the sky was broad and impressive.

By morning, the sea had gathered strength and splashed all around us. In the morning drizzling rain, braving the breeze that seemed to gather more and more courage, the attempts to balance ourselves on the damp gigantic boulders was a challenge. Each step was carefully calculated, each stride determined and firm. Even lashing waves and sudden showers of the sea that tried to turn us back could not dampen our spirits, and we went on.

At the eastern edge of Massachusetts is an arm-shaped stretch of land that surrounds Cape Cod Bay. Provincetown lies at the tip of this (…very) unique geographic phenomenon. The quaint little town is very different from when Pilgrims first founded it in the 1600s. Today, it has a known reputation as a seaside resort for the LGBT community. Despite the gray spell of weather, the vibrant lively, colours of the town could not be hidden.

The main street is filled with bohemian galleries, cafes, clubs and boutiques that sell everything from tacky fridge magnets and T-shirts to arts and crafts created by locals. The streets and alleys are narrow, and with the tourists that flock there in the weekends and holidays are crowded with character. There are charming cottages and houses with white picket fences and beautiful gardens. Owners in their rocking chairs friendlily smile and wave to passerbys, and the occasional transvestite strutting down the street. Small-town America in its warm and most welcoming form.

Besides the scenic coastline, and numerous trails that traverse the dune-scape, there is a reason why people come all the way out to Provincetown. There, the Star - Spangled Banner seems to flutter proudly alongside rainbow flags and flags of Peace. Symbolically, this is truly a place in the ‘Land of the Free’ where people of all sexualities and orientations live in harmony in a community that thrives on and celebrates diversity, inclusiveness, and hope.

It took a generation, setbacks and continuing struggles to build such a community. A place where it is not frowned upon to see couple of the same-sex walk hand-in-hand down the street. A place where how you choose to dress or behave is not met with the angry retorts of hell-fire and damnation. A place where families and children play on the same sandy beaches where couples openly display their affection for one another. For what does it really matter whom you love and choose to spend precious moments of life together with?

I looked at the sleepy town in the distance, tried to picture that dreamy, yet beautiful community hidden behind the veil of mist and dew. And in the lashing rain, and growing furore of the wind and waves, wondered when the world will be like the little town of Provincetown.

under the stars

My friend and I sat under the stars on a causeway jutting out into the sea. At one point, I moved my body and we rested on one another back to back. It felt so beautiful, the world felt at ease. I felt warm, and there was this feeling I could not describe. We touched, but I was scared.

What is this feeling? Who is this person who came into my life just six months ago? Why do I feel light and happy to see him, to hang around him, to lie next to him? I'm so afraid. So afraid.
What is he feeling? Doesn't he have a partner already?

I'm so afraid, feel so vulnerable yet comfortable. The sky, the world, the sea all around us... And we sat there in silence. I sat next to him and felt warm inside...