Yesterday was the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s birth. A poet-friend of mine invited me to participate in a tribute event hosted by
Peace to Peace. There was a lot of talent in the room and a lot of sharing about how much MJ meant to each individual and his influence and impact. People seemed to have some real connections to MJ; they had vivid childhood memories of his music, adult memories of his drama but they were supportive. Now it’s not to say that I
don’t like MJ’s music but his impact on me personally just hasn’t been as great as it seems for other people. Its funny because around the same time of his death last year,
Cynthia McKinney and other activists were attacked and arrested by Israeli troops while trying to take aid to the Gaza Strip. I was so annoyed because everyone was putting up status updates on FB about MJ, the news outlets were reporting on MJ and once again the human rights struggle was sidelined (not that it gets too much airtime anyway). The MJ phenomenon is something I’d like to look into more (definitely hadn’t listened to
Off the Wall before and I must say, that is some damn good music). But for now here is the piece I read.
Empty Dancing Shoes
the shoes may be empty
but they still moonwalk
because they love you
in mexico, japan, ghana
& france
the shoes may be empty
but they still moonwalk
in glittered and gold, hindi
thriller, baaaad, bollywood tributes
with 10 year-old Cecilia
salvadorena youth
blasting beat it
from her i-pod
in mind, heart, soul, feet
in pelvic thrusts
beckoning open palms
rhinestone studded
leather jackets
and fingerless gloves
in the way you made
smooth slides
into firsts and bests
the greatest of all time
and even more in the ease
with which you gave
these graceful yet empty
dancing shoes
still moonwalk
because the letters MJ
are synonymous with your name
because its like you said
“music is my outlet
my gift to all the lovers
in this world. through it –
my music – i know i will
live forever”
Zahra Gordon 
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