River

Young and strong Hollywood son
in the early morning light
this star fell down
on Sunset Boulevard

young and strong beautiful one
we embraced so close
is gone
was torn away

let the youth of America mourn
include him in their prayers
let his image linger on
repeat it everywhere

with candles, with flowers
he was one of ours
one of ours

why don’t you let him be?
he’s gone
we know
give his mother and his father peace
your vulture’s candor
your casual slander
you murder his memory
he’s gone
we know
it’s nothing but a tragedy

lay to rest your soul and body
lay beside your name
lay to rest your rage
your hunger and amazing grace

with candles, with flowers
you were one of ours
one of ours

I saw cameras expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children in tears
cry and crowd around the sight
of where you had collapsed that day
where your last breath and word
had been sighed
where your heart had burst
where you had died

I saw how they were lost in grieving
all half believing you were gone
the loss and pain of it
crime and shame of it
you were gone
it was such a nightmare raving,
“how could we save him from himself?”