Dismayed by segregation in school
She stood up for what she thought was right
Was bullied and called a fool
For taking the part of blacks and their fight
Inspired by Bessy Smith, Thornton and Leadbelly
“I want to be the first white black person” she said
In college, voted the man most ugly
This scar she would carry until she was dead
To be loved was all that she wanted
She sought some southern comfort in whiskey
Her music, a generation haunted
Her drug behavior all too risky
The first female rock star she broke many taboos
She died with the music that took others to heaven
Far to early she was buried in the blues
Died becoming a founding member of the club 27