Poem 2: Rev Gaye

Marvin Gaye (Born: Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.) (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)

Reverend Gaye



Owoooooo!

You recognize that shout?
That’s Marvin Gaye’s signature HOW SWEET IT IS – COME GET TO THIS – AFTER THE DANCE shout

I used to hear grown men and women shouting it on hot innercity streets, but they didn’t always have the Blues;

Sometimes their arms and fist would be stretched towards the Sun as their hips would grind in unison with the melody

Owoooooo!

I remember grownups singing LET’S GET IT ON as they danced the slow drag and their bodies cast blue shadows on the basement wall

Marvin would stretch forth his voice and bless the assembly singing, CAN I GET A WITNESS
as the inebriated congregation would shout from their parking lot pews…

Owoooooo!

You recognize that shout?
That’s Marvin Gaye’s signature HOW SWEET IT IS – COME GET TO THIS – AFTER THE DANCE shout

And he did it all just to keep us satisfied

By: Stephen Bess

Happy Birthday, Mr. Gaye