Inspired by Sun Ra: 'To Sun Ra' a poem by Mark Kerstetter

To Sun Ra

You were born Herman,
as in “Herman Munster”
but they called you Sonny.
You called yourself Sun.
The stars fell on a bipolar Alabama
and you learned to read them
across the black and white keys.
Some of the greatest musicians, you said, pass
into oblivion.
Traveling you would stop to enjoy
a small town marching band.
The story I love most is how
you’d play any radio station.
What kind of music inspires you? they asked.
All of it, you answered.
No, really.
Everything, you repeated.
You meant it,
and you were the only one.
I wish I could hear with your ears,
see with your eyes.

Please stop by and tell Mark what his poem means to you.
via The Mockingbird Sings