The King's Magic

by Walter Brooks

 

The angels smiled the night he came
Born of poverty and death at birth
In the wake of brutal war but future hope
Destined to become a King

When he first appeared before us
Young pubescent girls found ecstasy as their panties wet
Young men with pompadour and sideburns were eager to mimic his look
All wanting to reach the climax and experience the rush of his power

He broke the shackles on our freedom
He opened a shining door to the voice of youth and its fashion
While the rest of the world looked on in anger
A challenge to established power and stability
But as he rocked the world and served his country
The truth of his being was soon revealed

He touched our hearts, he touched our souls
His music woke us up and gave our lives new meaning
For 42 years he walked this earth to bring us joy
A golden ride - records, movies, making love at the drive-in
On stage he could not be surpassed...our adoration soared
What was his magic that touched us so?

A good ole country boy
Imprisoned by wealth and fame and internal doubt
The Man from Memphis has left the world, a billion tears shed
Richer it is for his talent, love and strength

A halo tarnished but now re-instated
A gift from God - an enigma of mortality and immortality
The colorful, the prosaic...a wondrous beacon beating wildly in the winds of change
What was his magic that touched us so?

Gilded clones now roam the land
Talent varying, but applause deafening
Others devoid of talent live vicariously in an instantly recognisable guise
Ageing rockers cherish their fading memories
The eyes and ears of a new generation are slowly receptive
Public fascination drives a formidable industry

25 years after, his flame shines more brightly
His presence lives on....and will live on, forever
Our dreams can never be destroyed
What was his magic that touched us so?

 

2003