Michael Jackson Remembered

~by Michael Jackson, Dancing the Dream, 1992

This poem was co-written by Deepak Chopra, and published by Doubleday in Michael’s 1992 book of poems and reflections, Dancing the Dream. “This poem is particularly prescient given the destruction of the eco-system.” ~Deepak Chopra

Planet Earth, my home, my place

A capricious anomaly in the sea of space

Planet Earth, are you just

Floating by, a cloud of dust

A minor globe, about to bust

A piece of metal bound to rust

A speck of matter in a mindless void

A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue

Held together with a bit of glue

Something tells me this isn’t true

You are my sweetheart, soft and blue

Do you care, have you a part

In the deepest emotions of my own heart

Tender with breezes, caressing and whole

Alive with music, haunting my soul.

In my veins I’ve felt the mystery

Of corridors of time, books of history

Life songs of ages throbbing in my blood

Have danced the rhythm of the tide and flood

Your misty clouds, your electric storm

Were turbulent tempests in my own form

I’ve licked the salt, the bitter, the sweet

Of every encounter, of passion, of heat

Your riotous color, your fragrance, your taste

Have thrilled my senses beyond all haste

In your beauty I’ve known the how

Of timeless bliss, this moment of now.

Planet Earth, are you just

Floating by, a cloud of dust

A minor globe, about to bust

A piece of metal bound to rust

A speck of matter in a mindless void

A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue

Held together with a bit of glue

Something tells me this isn’t true

You are my sweetheart, soft and blue

Do you care, have you a part

In the deepest emotions of my own heart

Tender with breezes, caressing and whole

Alive with music, haunting my soul.

Planet Earth, gentle and blue

With all my heart, I love you.

Thanks to Dénuvel~fashionpirategirl on YouTube

If Michael Jackson and his children have a say in the matter, Earth Song will remain relevant until there is no longer a need for global sustainability, eco-friendliness and humanitarian efforts. The emotional impact of this song and music video continues to increase awareness of our responsibility, as stewards of the earth and of one another, to live accordingly. The rapid and impressive expansion of Michael’s worldwide fan base attests to the fact that his urgent and timely message of L.O.V.E. will continue to spread to the ends of the earth. There is an upcoming generation of inspired ‘tweens, teens and young adults who show themselves passionately dedicated to dance in the footsteps of their newly discovered hero, and to walk the talk of healing Mother Earth and her inhabitants.

“Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity. Through all his hard work and dedication, he has helped many charities and donated to all of them. Throughout his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, Daddy.” ~Prince Jackson at the 2010 Grammy Awards

Earth Song is the third single from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. When released as a single in 1995, Earth Song sold over three million copies worldwide.

“I remember writing Earth Song when I was in Austria, in a hotel, and I was feeling so much pain and so much suffering for the plight of the planet Earth. For me, this is Earth’s Song, because I think nature is trying so hard to compensate for man’s mismanagement of the Earth. And with the ecological imbalance going on, and a lot of the problems in the environment, I think Earth feels the pain, and she has wounds, and it’s about some of the joys of the planet as well. But this is my chance to pretty much let people hear the voice of the planet. And this is “Earth Song.” And that’s what inspired it. And it just suddenly dropped into my lap when I was on tour in Austria.” ~Michael Jackson

Many considered Michael’s LIVE performances of Earth Song to be a highlight of the HIStory World Tour’s set list. In almost every performance, the stage transformed into a war-stricken environment, reminiscent of the music video. Towards the end of the  performance, a full-sized military tank entered the stage symbolizing the horrific massacre in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square where, in 1989, soldiers opened fire on war protesters, killing hundreds of innocent citizens.

Earth Song LIVE in Munich ~ 1997

TWELVE YEARS LATER…

Earth Song LIVE in Los Angeles ~ 2009 This Is It rehearsal at Staples Center for the London O2 concerts that never happened due to Michael’s tragic and untimely death which occurred a mere days after the filming of this rehearsal sequence.

Thanks to You Tube Channel mmarishkaa ~ MJ fan from Russia

What about sunrise?
What about rain?
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain?
What about killing fields?
Is there a time?
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?

Aaaaaaaaaah Aaaaaaaaaah

What have we done to the world?
Look what we’ve done.
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son?
What about flowering fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine?
Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war?
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores?

I used to dream,
I used to glance beyond the stars.
Now I don’t know where we are,
Although I know we’ve drifted far.

Hey, what about yesterday?
(What about us) Echo between lines…
What about the seas?
The heavens are falling down.
I can’t even breathe.
What about the bleeding Earth?
Can’t we feel its wounds?
(What about us)
What about nature’s worth?
It’s our planet’s womb.
What about animals?
We’ve turned kingdoms to dust.
What about elephants?
Have we lost their trust?
What about crying whales?
We’re ravaging the seas.
What about forest trails?
Burnt despite our pleas.
What about the Holy Land
Torn apart by creed?
What about the common man?
Can’t we set him free?
What about children dying?
Can’t you hear them cry?
Where did we go wrong?
Someone tell me why.
What about babies?
What about the days?
What about all their joy?
What about the man?
What about the crying man?
What about Abraham?
What about death again?
Do we give a damn?

Toward the end of 1987, Ebony/Jet Showcase aired an interview with Michael by Darryl Dennard that was given during his 16-month, worldwide “Bad” concert tour. Michael talks about his new album, and his feelings about the crazy tabloid stories which had been surrounding him. This interview was given just six months before Michael purchased his Neverland Ranch estate. It was at this time that his humanitarian efforts began to fully blossom. Michael was, at this time, experiencing the height of his career, where his popularity would plateau for many more years.

Ebony interview 1987 Part One

Ebony interview 1987 Part Two

This moving, 2-part video truly captures the essence of Neverland Valley Ranch, as it was in it’s prime. It reveals, inside and out, the unique and stunning beauty of the place that Michael called home for almost 20 years. From 1988 to 2003 Neverland was infused with light-hearted laughter, playfulness and joy. This film lovingly attempts to convey the wonder and goodness that emanated from Michael’s childlike character, as well as from his precious refuge and sanctuary. That was until 2003, when dark storm clouds gathered, and eventually  destroyed all sense of privacy and safety for him and his children.

In 2005, after two years of grueling depositions, interrogations and malicious media circus side-shows, Michael said that he would not return to the property because he no longer considered it a home. The fact that 70 police officers had “violated” it in their merciless and relentless searches contributed to Michael’s rejection of his beloved estate.  After Michael was found “Not Guilty” of the erroneous charges of child molestation, he left the United States for a few years with his children.  Neverland Valley Ranch now stands as a bank-owned shadow of its former self. The future of the property remains to be seen.

The insightful video clips below offer a tragically different overview of the infamous Ranch. A new documentary, “Michael Jackson: The Untold Story of Neverland,” has been produced by Larry Nimmer, who worked as a filmmaker for Michael Jackson and his defense team during the 2005 child molestation trial.  Larry was granted unprecedented access to the Neverland Ranch estate while filming footage to be used as evidence during the trial. During his investigations, Larry discovered some of the truth of what had been going on at Neverland as a result of the deceptions of British journalist Martin Bashir’s months-long interviewing of Michael. Larry shows how Michael’s accusers fabricated their allegations. The documentary was completed a week before Michael’s death. Larry  has added new scenes from the Memorials held in tribute to Michael in Los Angeles and at Neverland.

Michael Jackson was an extremely sensitive soul who lived his entire life with the sincere goal of bringing happiness to people. People love people who have a great capacity to love. Michael was fond of saying, “It’s all for love.” This powerful truth fueled Michael’s life.

Here are a few inspiring statements made by Michael in the following video:

“Success, fame and fortune: they’re all illusions. All there is that is real, is the friendship that two can share.” This was aptly and lovingly said by Michael’s character, The Scarecrow, in The Wiz, a film adaptation of the 1975 Broadway musical based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The Wiz was jointly produced in 1978 by Motown productions and Universal Pictures at the onset of Michael’s solo career when he was 20 years old.

“What I love about being on the stage is making people happy, ’cause I feel I’m here on earth for a reason, and, um, it’s my job to do that.”

“Peter Pan, to me, represents something that’s very special in my heart…children and wonderment and magic are what it’s all about. And, to me, I just have never, ever grown out of loving that, or thinking that it’s very special.”

“The magic, the wonder, the mystery and the innocence of a child’s heart are the seeds of creativity that will heal the world.”

“I know the creator will go. But his work survives. That is why to escape death I attempt to bind my soul to my work.” ~Michelangelo, quoted by Michael Jackson in a 2007 interview with Ebony.

~Created by k2needja on You Tube

He tried to make them understand
The lonely king of Neverland
The boy that lived inside the man
The one we know as Peter Pan
Who flies above the sea and sand
Who soars to heights that no one can
On shaking ground he tried to stand
Akin to Edward Scissorshands
His Wonka built a factory
For children full of fantasy
Through innocence he could not see
Foreshadows of his tragedy
Instead he built a legacy
A common ground for you and me
For that he paid the ultimate price
Himself a human sacrifice
They raped him of naivety
Forgotten was his prodigy
But from the ashes shown his shimmer
As fresh-faced as a new beginner
Retaining crown to conquer all
Before the war he’d fatally fall
He tried to make us hear the truth
The tale of man who lost his youth
Like ours, his flaws were all too real
But loyals clung to his appeal
And now it’s time to dry our tears
Instead he’d want to hear our cheers
And when we pause let’s bow our heads
To pray to God our daily bread
And give him thanks for the man who gave
The man who lives beyond the grave
The man I love with all my heart
His music it binds us…we’ll never part.

~Gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Keaston who lovingly wrote this poem

Almost a year later: “It’s been almost 11 month since I posted this video, and it’s been one year since this world lost Michael Jackson. I’d like to say ‘Thank You’ to each one of you who took time to watch this vid and left sweet comments. It got more than 199,000 views [in the first year]. It’s incredible and I am so happy. Thank you Akon for this beautiful song. And THANK YOU Michael for EVERYTHING. Michael’s beautiful soul and messages he shared with us will LIVE FOREVER. May he will rest in peace.”