Someone to Watch Over George
Sometimes he paid more attention to the unseen world than at other times, and I was aware that he thought about me from time to time. He experienced that higher love--mine and everyone's through the profound inspiration he received for his music. I was glad to be a little part of his success.
There you have it; my time with George; someone that I watched over with all my love.
We both died young from brain-related conditions. He passed on from an inoperable brain tumor about five years after my death when he was 38.
Author's Notes: This semi-autobiographical story weaves together two major strands of experience important to my life and times, the metaphysical and the artistic.
Years ago while meditating a kind of "balloon" appeared above my head with the face of an attractive black girl. I heard from somewhere a voice telling me that this was me when I lived a life in New York City as this black woman who died in her early twenties. She was from a well-to-do black family and before her untimely death was just beginning to gain a reputation as a talented singer in New York City in the 1920s and '30s. The voice said that I should have done more to help my people in that past life.
I combined this past life memory with my mysterious, almost mystical love of the music of George Gershwin and the wonderful lyrics of his brother, Ira. I note that I have always liked the rhythms of "Tin Pan Alley," and "rhythm and blues" (pioneered by African Americans) that so influenced George Gershwin.
This story is published as part of Black History Month 2003 at Suite101.
I suppose I should add the standard disclaimer that this is most definitely a work of fiction and any similarities with actual events and people living or dead is purely coincidental. The Gershwins are considered public figures.
Copyright 2003, Thomas James Martin, all rights reserved.
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