Never Clip My Wings

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011 The title is a reference to one of Amy's tattoos. [Thank you to Mark Cooper, BBC Music TV for a fine review of this talented singer/ song writer.]

Never Clip My Wings

Jazz made you;

and you made jazz your own.

From listening to the greats

had your own talent grown.

A unique singer

with a passion

to express,

who never ever

set out to impress.

Moulded as a one-off

you smouldered on the stage,

you set the world

on fire, with your

passion and your rage.

You wrote about your

weakness, your love

and all your pain,

you wrote about disasters

you wrote about your men.

You even wrote in bold tattoos

all across your skin,

where Blake had left his mark

to remind you of his sin.

You took the world by storm

but suffered for your art

and even with success

you never played the part.

And when love died for you,

you went Back to Black,

fell into a toxic world

depressed and on the wrack.

Frank and fresh but haunted,

you began to slide,

when those black dogs take you

there is no place to hide.

Gone eyes and skinny frame,

not quite present,

not the same,

distracted gestures

to the crowd

but still,

you left us feeling proud.

 

12/07/15

Author's Note

Reviews

[R Smith]

A really very fine tribute, sad and beautiful John, excellent work :)

[fattycbreezy52]

Wow Amy Winehouse........What a wonderful tribute to the departed soul!:)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An emotional write for me after watching a programme about her on the internet. Thank you FCB

[~]

A poignant poem to a unique singer. I like the way how you told bits of her story like a movie.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

She was a troubled young lady who was still seeking truth when she became caught up in a whirlwind of success and fame. Thank you MS.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've given me chills, John. I couldn't help but think she'd love this - she'd truly love this!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes she was a unique but troubled individual. Love her songs, her singing and her story. Thank you Kelly.

[Beccy]

A huge talent, taken too early. Not enough people around her who cared enough to cry halt.

Beccy.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Beccy. Thank you for reading.

[Lydia Shutter]

I never liked her music that much, but she was quite a unique character. She was the true tortured artist. This is an excellent tribute to Amy Winehouse.....she is now in Rock N Roll Heaven. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed and is already a legend. Many thanks Lydi.

[andrew mitchell]

Another talent down the drain as with her I miss Jim morrison, Jimi Hendrick, John Botham, John Lennon etc A nice write john

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Andrew.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

phenomenal tribute to a phenomenal singer....

and "all that jazz"---

she would smile at this....

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The thought of her smiling at my scribbles makes me weep Jacob. Many thank yous!

[wordman]

a great tribute john,she would have been even greater today

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree, such a sad loss but as I have said she is already a legend whose work will live on. Many thanks WM

[wordman]

i don`t know why but they all seem to try in kill them selves

[Willard Wells]

Forgive me as I see the word "Gone eyes" works, maybe "gaunt eyes and frame". Just a thought. I like this very much and it was a tragic loss. I was just starting to enjoy her work when she left. Lovely tribute. Well done as always.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Willard. I borrowed 'gone eyes' from an article written by the guy I mentioned in the notes and as it had originality and value.

[Willard Wells]

Alright that makes sense. Great piece.