The Day Bowie Died

I grew up in a place called East Los Angeles. As a child, I knew I was a bit different because I just didn't like the things everybody else liked. For example, kids were listening to rap and I couldn't get into that. I just did what I wanted to do and that would include visiting the library and discovering different things from different books. I found myself alone many times and instead of thinking it was weird...I liked it. Yes, there were times when I felt lonely and wanted to socialize but for the most part, I enjoyed my own company the most. It was during middle school years that my fascination towards music grew. It influenced me and my way of life. I found bands like AFI, Anti-Flag,NOFX, System of a Down, to name a few...these weren't bands that mainstream people heard. And in a way, I took pride in that. These bands spoke about political issues that were happening and there was truth in the music and it spoke to me. As my music taste progressed artists like David Bowie, Morrissey, the Smiths, and the Smashing Pumpkins were bands I would be listening to on a daily basis. I looked up to these bands and their words, their styles, and the way they lived life. For example, I was inspired by frontman from AFI, Davey Havok, and the way he rejected alcohol, drugs, and promiscuous sex. In the punk world, it was known as being "Straight Edge". It was people like Davey Havok that helped me say no to drugs and alcohol at an early age. It was rather easy to get these things if one wanted to, but I looked up to Mr. Havok's music so much that I felt it wouldn't be right for me to do those things. And in a way, I didn't think it was cool since Davey wasn't doing it. Above all, I think music really helped me feel like I was part of something bigger than myself. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one that felt misunderstood or alone. It was nice to know that there were people out there like myself that really just enjoyed solitude and peace. 
   When I heard about David Bowie's death I was really stunned and saddened. It's sort of weird how I'm barely writing about this, but I feel things get processed much later than when they originally happen. Bowie was like a personal friend. He was a weirdo and a misfit and easy to relate to. I loved his songs and his style. I thought he was out of this world (both figuratively and literally). He made me feel less alone when times got difficult. When I heard about his death- first through Instagram, I was shocked and couldn't believe it. That day I wrote some words to capture the feeling I was experiencing at the time and it wasn't until a few months after that I returned to the original poem and polished it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing and thinking about what Bowie did for us. 

1947-2016

The Day Bowie Died

Headlines read,

The king of glam rock

Has passed away at 69.

Rebellious creator, birthed

Blackstar ‘till his demise.

Isolated teenage years I

Spent with him, he was

One of the few

That welcomed my kind.

Encouraged the freak

In me, and in my despair,

Oh no love, you're not alone

He'd lullaby.  

In times of pain and disillusionments,

He advised me;

Turn and face the strange changes.

With hopes high, Soul Love strong,

I know I’d make it through,

Ziggy by my side.

In present time,

when I feel blue,

I  put on his tunes.

His Aladdin Sane poster hangs

On my wall-

He comes alive. Long live

The Starman In the Sky.