Image: James Dean playing the bongos,
NYC, 1955. (here)
You came on the scene
Made it in a flash
a fleeting appearance
Scared the daylights
of peers and others around you
Rebel Without A Cause
Oh! How they swooned and moan
Natalie was a gem
To hold you spellbound
Extended all the support
A pretty lass
Your following wanting more
The big names of Hudson and Taylor
Were cast with you in Giant
But you stood tall
A couple of starring roles just
Destined for fame
But alas, on Sept 30th 1955
That fateful day
In a moment of shocking encounter
The unbelievable
A disaster, a car crash
Snuffed the young life
A bright future already in hand
In the middle of the making
of Giant, disrupting the scene
To save the day
A double was brought in
Shattered the dreams of many
The teeny, the young and the old
A legend upon your demise
Obliterated from the scene though
But in place an icon was born
Untimely but never forgotten
Broken hearts aplenty
Chanting
Dean, James Dean!
Carrie's Sunday Muse #193
A legend indeed. This is a beautiful ode to an amazing talent gone too soon! I love this Hank!
ReplyDeleteHow well I recall James Dean,
ReplyDeleteGreat verse Hank.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Hank, what a ride your words provide, through a life lived in high gear — death always near. Enjoyed this my friend.
ReplyDelete"Snuffed the young life
ReplyDeleteA bright future already in hand
In the middle of the making"
His journey was short and legendary
Happy New Year Hank
Much love...
Always a shame when someone so young dies. The brightest lights always seem to burn out first.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful ode to James Dean! You have captured the star qualities of his life So sad that he didn’t get the opportunity to reach his full potential. Fate is a mysterious thing.
ReplyDeleteStay safe, Hank
Moving tribute.
ReplyDeleteYour James Dean poem gave me chills ... well done, Hank. In 1955 I had just graduated from 8th grade grammar school. He was a 'bit before my time as a groupie' ~ I loved him later in my life, appreciated his performances.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Hank. You can feel that young life zipping by.
ReplyDeleteHank, it's clear you were a fan of the man. He was before my time, even though his name is known. I like what you say here:
ReplyDelete"A legend upon your demise
Obliterated from the scene though
But in place an icon was born
Untimely but never forgotten"