An Ode to Marlene

An Ode to Marlene: A Tribute to Marlene Dietrich

~Then~

Through the haze of smoke I wandered,
splashed by overflowing steins
until I found a table,
a small one soaked with beer,
but near the stage, that's all that mattered.

In so many cabarets, we watched and waited
anticipating
her appearance on the stage.

Her voice was husky, sexy, sultry,
captivating lonely hearts.
She looked my way
but saw me not, and even if she had …
I was but a shadow in the smoky gloom.
She stood tall behind the mike,
sizzling sex and singing
in that low, throaty tone.

~Now~

That was all so long ago,
before the war that changed the world.
Though, even then, the lines were drawn
and Berlin's streets were wet
with rife and strife
as goose stepping troopers threatened
those who dared walk the streets at night.

~Then~

The war raged on, consumed us all,
but she became a star, an angel to the troops.
She took no sides and sang
for allies and axis, too.
Everywhere that armies moved
so did the strains of Lilli Marlene.

They say that after fame
there comes a fall
and tragically
she left this life alone,
hiding her face from all who loved her.
Afraid perhaps that we wouldn't see her beauty
through the mask of age.
How could we not?

~Now~

We remember her
and the talent she shared with us.
She lived before her time,
so long ago, and yet, it seems like yesterday.
Now, thanks to technology, her many fans,
men and women, straight and gay,
thrill again when they hear
that husky, sexy, sultry voice.
She's part of history,
part of a time
when life, though less complicated,
was no less cruel.

Where are you Marlene
now that our armies march again,
needing to hear the strains of Lilli Marlene?

Vi Jones
©April 19, 2005