Pearl, you were the rose that grew so swiftly,
Bloomed in the sixties young and free.
Drove your porsche through all the rest,
Until cut down in '70.

Just a big brother to start you off,
Then the kosmic blues there to depend.
Flying high, at that point,
Going full tilt near the end.

It was in Avalon, you started off,
At Woodstock, so much flair.
But when Harvard came, a year hence,
Your farewell song was there.

A piece of your heart was always missing.
Try to get it while you can.
Bobby McGee says, "Please trust me,
Move over, and raise your hand."

You were the girl who McLean met,
The one who sang the blues.
With broken bells, nothing was said,
For there was no happy news.

Hendrix, with the Lizard King,
And you, they all did fall.
The drug reaper came round to visit,
And swiftly paid his call.

As the half moon shows upon the sky,
I remember a Texan woman well.
Your cheap thrills became a pearl,
Until a Los Angeles motel.

© Graham
March, 2004

"I have never been a Janis Joplin fan though I have enjoyed some of her songs in the past.   When Graham wrote this poem I was simply blown away!   The impact it had illicited the inner demons Janis dealt with throughout her short-lived career until her untimely death of a heroin overdose over 30 years ago, just as many in her time and league did.   I don't know why it impacted me as it did, but the sadness I felt in the lines were imminent.   From a talented growing poet, I am always honoured to feature his work on my pages, comes this wonderful tribute to a woman who many may remember well."