Spoken word by Nelson Quin.  Music by Didier Michel.

Rhythm in peace, Prince Rogers Nelson
You defied all the labels that divide us from the Divine 
Be it names, gender, race, style, words, or signs
You once told a Danish TV host 
"He only had one one birthday, the day he was born." 
You said "I don’t celebrate birthdays"
"Which stops me from counting days" 
"Which stops me from counting time"  

You we're (are) timeless.  
You scared me when I first saw your pale magic face
Eyes like a panther pouncing from the stage
Brave is too shallow a word for the way you behaved
Enraptured, embodied, enchanting, and engaged.  

The loss of another musical saint 
Whose art was so much more than the arrangements they made  They made being different ok, and 
I will treasure forever their heavenly ways.   

Gifts as golden as sun rays
Penetrating purgatories of prejudice
Present to ponderous people who just 
Need to feel the pulse of peace.  

Rise up to their feet and 
Sway, play, say what's in their hearts
Sing, start, bring life's spark, to the dark

Sweet, sweat, forget 
the distance between us and our flesh, yes.  

Rhythm in peace
The rhythm that frees
The rhythm that sees 
The rhythm in we

Resting now in the rhythm of all things
Love to his family, all of us, and all those whose life he touched Tonight we dance, in celebration of your love for us.  

Rhythm In Peace Prince Rogers Nelson

Performed live by Nelson Quin at The Self Love Kitchen on October 9, 2016 in Brooklyn New York.

Kurt Peloquin

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