Billie Holiday
Her story, stuff of legend
Hard to believe a girl
who scrubbed the whorehouse steps
was a child of destiny
Louis and Bessie’s songs, a balm
wafting through the brothel windows
(masking commercial commotion upstairs)
That jazz summoned magic buried in her very marrow
At seventeen, at dusk, she entered a club
The audience, the first witnesses
to a staggering talent, unbroken by
the sorrows of her childhood
Finding her soulmate in sax man Lester Young
Coursing through their veins and blended history,
their addictions: Jazz and heroin
First gave life; second led to early death
Too young, a deathbed. Money taped to her thigh?
A filthy lie, as befits urban legend
The collective force of Lady Day and Pres?
The real deal – raw truth pressed on vinyl
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For The Sunday Whirl: Destiny, Dusk, Mate, Marrow, Staggering, Buried, Songs, Blood, Addiction, Story, Sorrows, Broken. These words began singing choruses of “Lover Man” to me before I knew what I was going to do with them. Also posted at the Poets United Poetry Pantry.
Image courtesy of www.jacklawrencesongwriter.com, in his photo files. Thanks, Jack!
Although the rumor of money taped to her thigh was false, police did arrest her on her deathbed for possession. Lester “Pres” Young, who nicknamed Billie “Lady Day,” was in fact nicknamed by Billie as the President of Sax Players. Wish I could have included the video on YouTube of her TV session in her later years on “Fine and Mellow,” but the cut was too long. Look it up; you’ll spot Gerry Mulligan, Coleman Hawkins, Pres on the second sax solo, Mal Waldron on piano, and more. When Pres Young died of self-abuse (alcohol and heroin), Billie was not allowed by Young’s wife to sing at the funeral. Billie said bitterly, “I’ll be next,” and she was, four months later.
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
An all time great- you brought her back to life. I wanted to listen, but it’s six in the morning here and the world is asleep.
What is it about music and drug abuse?
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, Viv, thanks for this comment. Music and drugs/drink: Having been in that scene, it’s twofold. Some take to drinking and drugs out of boredom. Then there is the type who WANT a job where they can drink and drug it up on the job, and they are the worst musicians ever. Also if one has an addictive personality, it’s a difficult profession, especially on the road… peace, Amy
Rosemary Nissen-Wade
Mmm! I’ll chase up that Youtube for sure. (I ca see why those words suggested her!)
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, it’s true, Rosemary – Brenda has a knack for assembling words that make sense somehow. I never feel I have to “pack” the poem simply to justify using a particular word. And this Wordle SANG!!! Peace, Amy
Rosemary Nissen-Wade
*can see
Sharp Little Pencil
You must be a copy editor at heart!
hypercryptical
Raw truth pressed on vinyl indeed – well written Amy.
Anna :o]
Sharp Little Pencil
Anna, that was the final line I wrote – added it after the handwritten draft, and so glad it came to me. Thanks very much! Amy
Poetry & Icecream
Another sad end to a wonderfully talented woman. I love reading about people’s lives and you’ve made the poem very interesting. Well done using the Sunday Whirl words 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Norma, the words were so great to work with! God bless Brenda Warren at The Sunday Whirl… great raw material. Peace, Amy
El Guapo
A great piece, highlighting an incredible woman.
Loved the second stanza (the aside in parentheses).
Spider Robinson has a short story in one of his Callahan books that plays with her story in a sci-fi-ish setting. I’ll see if I can dig up the story name if you have any interest in that sort of thing.
Sharp Little Pencil
Guapo, mi amigo, please please yes! Send it to me via email: sharplittlepencil (AT) gmail (Dot) com (sorry, trying to avoid robots). Thanks so much for loving Billie, too… what a talent, a force of nature. Peace, Amy
El Guapo
I can’t find an online copy, but the story is The Law Of Conservation Of Pain by Spider Robinson in Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon
(All the other stories in the book are pretty damn good too!)
brian miller
what a sad tale…and far too many leave us too young…esp in the arts world…
Sharp Little Pencil
God, don’t I know it. I’ve long said that the reason Broadway pretty much sucks now is because we lost an entire generation of talented gay writers, actors, and songsmiths to HIV. Thanks for nothing, Reagan. And then there are the self-destructive folks, like Amy Winehouse. So sad… thanks, and peace, Amy
wordsandthoughtspjs
I love Billie and I was just listening to her on Sunday. Nicely penned, Amelita.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Gracias, Pamelita! Yeah, I had her “Early Years” on my (actual) record player while I was cleaning house. It’s more fun when you sing along and dance! Amy
Lance
How strong and accomplished a piece. You gave me beautiful words, history, and truth.
Billie’s one of my favorites. Thank you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Lance, I’m not surprised to learn you love Billie, too. Her voice, in every era, spoke volumes about her health, her attitude… Thanks so much for your vote of confidence! Peace, Amy
kaykuala
Amy,
A classic! You could create such a gem with the random words given,and to share such factual happenings. So refreshing to be reminded of an icon, the sad beginnings and of her later successes as well as tragic life. Brilliant write,Ma’am!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, thank you for this, I’m blushing, already! She is worthy of tribute… she lived life out loud, in public, holding back little. And that’s part of the tragedy: She kept nothing for herself… Amy
scrappygrams
so disheartening that talent like that was cut short
Thankfully, I had a mother who played the old 78s for me so I got to hear talents like Billie and Bessie Smith.
Sharp Little Pencil
Your mom and my mom would have a lot in common. I have the vinyl edition (although you can get it from ITunes, etc.) of THE BEST BILLIE, back before the drugs and the “Strange Fruit” contrived cult following: It’s called “Billie Holiday: The Early Years,” and has cuts like “Riffin’ the Scotch,” “Swing it, Brother, Swing,” and also a lovely rendition of “These Foolish Things.” Hope you have heard these, Scrappy, and love to your mama, wherever she may be. Amy
julespaige
You bring to life music in your words. And the history is an added bonus. I’ve got to get my son to help me learn how to listen to music…Jazz…while I flit in the ether.
Thanks.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jules, the key to jazz is to listen to good jazz. Listen to Billie in her early years, listen to instrumentalists from the start of the jazz era, like Louis Armstrong, Bessie, and New Orleans pianists like the eccentric Professor Longhair. Then don’t be afraid to dance! Hugs, Amy
julespaige
Thanks for the recommendations. I hope to figure just a tad bit more about the net daily. Hugs ~J
Sharp Little Pencil
Jules, learn a new thing every day and never grow old! wink. Amy
Renee Espriu
She was a lady no matter how you slice it. We all have our passions and our addictions and that’s just life. One of my favorites. Listening to her sing is like listening to Angels in a choir but with alot more ‘soul’. Nice write.
Sharp Little Pencil
Renee, if angels sing like Billie, we’re in for a treat. And she did live completely, like I said earlier, giving it all, saving nothing back for herself. Low self-esteem can turn out some of the best performers… Peace, Amy
judithhb
One of the all time greats. Such music from such a tortured soul. Thanks Amy for the reminder.
Sharp Little Pencil
Judith, nice to see you here! Thanks for the comment; I agree, one of the best ever. Now I’m gonna see what’s up at your blog… peace, Amy
zongrik
raw truth pressed on vinal -> that is super cool
Sharp Little Pencil
Z, that was the final line, added as I was editing, and I liked it best, too! Peace, Amy
Patti
This is so good. You mention her “staggering talent, unbroken by the sorrows of her childhood.” I think she must have been a strong lady. I’ve always thought that her childhood may have been what put the music in her soul, and gave her the desire to voice it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Patti, I spent 30 or more years in nightclubs, and I can attest to the fact that the pain of my youth translated into an understanding of blues and jazz… that, and the music was around me always. But it’s those deepest cuts of whatever (in my case, childhood abuse by my dad) that open up the well of sorrows… from whence comes the most amazing feeling. Cannot explain it well, I guess, but you hit the truth, thanks. Amy
M.A.S.
There are a couple of lines that I especially like. “Raw truth pressed on vinyl” is my favorite.
Sharp Little Pencil
As said above, a popular choice for favorite line. And I don’t know where it came from… some odd synapse, a lucky one firing! Thanks, and peace, Amy
Tracy Crenshaw
Beautiful poem for a beautiful voice. Such a sad story.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Tracy. How such beautiful music could spring forth from that story… it’s a miracle! Peace, Amy
yelena
Amy, thanks for sharing this raw and beautiful piece. her strength and talent shine through your lines. i’m not much acquainted with her music but am now going to discover more~