1970
Poetry by Michael F. Nyiri
"Luther"
Luther looked up as he tightened the bolt.
Oscar the boss, gave him a jolt.
He handed young Luther a paper.
Then Luther's mind started to taper.
The note written on the paper,
Gave Luther the chance to become something.
Big Oscar released Luther that morning
To go on the train then coming
To the town to take Luther away.
Luther took the train up to Western Bay.
The reason he went to the Bay,
Was to start on a long singing career.
Oscar's note had been from a man named Joe,
Who happened to have a big show.
He had heard Luther sing one black night,
And said, "This young Luther will be just right.
"He'll be with me some future night,
"He'll shower his voice on my audience."
Joe met Luther in his rich limousine.
He said, "Luther, I'd like you to sing."
When Luther asked, "Now?", Joe said back, "No,
"You'll sing on my hour television show.
"You'll then see how far you can go!"
He then drove Luther to his penthouse suite.
Luther made a big hit in Western Bay,
And then he went on to Broadway.
Within two years he was a rich man,
With a giant mansion that was colored tan,
Resting by the sea on the sand.
Luther lived a life of elegancy.
The style in music changed drastically.
Luther sang the new type badly.
He knew his empire was crumbling down.
Within two months it was back on the ground.
Luther went back to his home town,
And went back to working with old Oscar.
Luther looked up as he tightened the bolt.
Oscar, the boss, gave him a jolt.
"Go back to work," he scowled as he passed.
Luther did so as he tightened his last.
And he contemplated his past.
It was good while it lasted, but was gone.
copyright 1999-2004 by Michael F. Nyiri
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