The Black Pearl

The Black Pearl was a nickname of Josephine Baker, this is her tale x

The Black Pearl

 

She was a beautiful black American woman,

who acted, danced and sang her way to fame; she may have come from humble beginnings but she was to die a household name.

Josephine was sent to work at the age of 8,

b bringing home money for the family pot; abused and mis treated by harsh employers,though just a child she endured an awful lot.

At the age of 12 she ran away from her school,she was homeless, living in a cardboard box; She began strutting her moves on the sidewalk,enticing the crowds like a cunning fox

Recruited to vaudeville at just fifteen, She headlined shows in New York and France;she stood out from every performance;no one else around her stood a chance.

Though American, she began to light up the Paris stage,the French people had found a new heroine to adore; she would go on to marry a handsome Frenchman and set up a home on the beautiful Parisian shore.

Picasso wanted to capture her essence in a painting,to Ernest Hemingway she was his inspiration, his muse; many other famous artists were in awe of her talent;and French critics in particular gave her rave reviews.

She became a legalized French Citizen in 1937,spying for the French in the Second World War; she put her life in danger time and time again;for her, it was a cause worth the risk of dying for.

 

To the world she was the star of the stage and screen but obviously there was more to her than it would seem; She smuggled passports to help persecuted Jews escape,and did all that she could do to defeat the Nazi regime.

She was awarded the very Highest Honours in France,she surged ever forward never daring to look back; she campaigned for the freedom and equal rights for all,deploring the segregation of white and of black.

She challenged racism and discrimination at its core,she was a strong vocalist and a note worthy scribe; she adopted 12 multi ethnic children worldwide referring to them as her beautiful Rainbow Tribe.

She had many male and female lovers falling at her feet,she didn’t label  herself ; or conform to a stereotype; she was a passionate woman in charge of her destiny and a true super star that lived up to all the hype.

Although born in the united states in the year 1906,she was on french soil when death came to call; she was given a full Military funeral in 1975, This being; the highest French honour of all.

She fought for Civil Rights in the only way she knew how and she left behind a legacy that cannot be denied; She was the brilliantly gifted Josephine Baker, a shining star, before and after, she died…

Reviews

Josephine Baker was a brilliant woman, and an example for many others, I truly appreciate this wonderful tribute to one of the best in history... What an ode... Lovely piece of work as always LJ! xx

[Amplyyours]

What a lesson about someone not truly known in the country of her birth, I guess she would refer as her home country as France. Thanks for all of the insight and the title fits the woman who the poem is about.

[M.E.Lyle]

This is a history lesson in poetic form. After awhile you forget you're reading a poem at all. This is a wonderful tribute to a woman many know nothing about. Heroes are so few and far between here and there. Thanks for a great write.

[SkinlessFrank]

the french have that way of every so often discovering out the best that the world has to offer

[GBU POETRY ONLY]

The title is awesome.. Yes, Jo was a well-rounded artist and human being...
You poetically took us on a wonderful journey of the black pearl's life. Thanks for sharing, LIn-J.
GBU

[J Todd Underhill]

Off to Wiki this amazing person! Wow you capture my eyes with abother amazing tale!

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Wow, I am totally impressed with this piece, This is really amazing, sad but so well written.