Judy Garland’s Blues

Why was Judy Garland sad? Did she have everything—but not love? What drove Judy Garland mad, Or do I give her too much credit? Was she just privately unlucky, after all the public luck? Did she have two armfuls of nothing in the worn valises She dragged into another mansion of expenses, pills, and airs Amid lost things never declared, forever beyond her reach? Did she have everything—but not love? Was she too often left behind as a child Or was she poisoned in the vein As by too many drinks or a rattlesnake... Twisted by some familial demon spirit she became That Voodoo spirit, the reel and spin, the deadly living blues, Forever frightened—no matter her age or image or magic— Of what to choose and what to lose, out of control to the end? Did she, like you, like me, have everything— But could not feel the love that others gave Or stay as brave as needed every moment? rcs. Current draft: 4/12/2010 3rd draft: 04/26/05 Created on 5/4/2004 11:21 PM