Here's a poem I wrote about how Prince's music affected my growth as a man:

“ode to the artist forever known as prince”

detached, secluded from the teasing and confusion

that only adolescence, the proving ground could inspire.

my first pastor of holy and sensual infusion

conducts mass in my room, okaying me to aspire

to be me. through stereo his lessons come, he never tires

my budding faith found in paisley prints

a commitment to originality kindles this endocardial fire

when introduced to the artist forever known as prince

vivid raspberry berets, golden parachutes…to create the illusions

that colored my days. beneath the music of lust, love, God and mire

i found the strength to move beyond my self-inflicted contusions

and failures. i became a man through his purple reign of desire

with impassionate vocals of a crier

his persona of lace and high heels hints

to the ironic masculine security i found in him, that brashness i admire

in the artist forever known as prince

throughout my marriage, advice, omnifarious allusions

to respect women as equals, instead of playthings to hire.

to be like others, you dispelled that delusion

freeing me from this cultural prison (oh so Sisyphean )

to search for the ladder that leads to the Galilean.

compositions from icy minnesota soothe a heart so intense

rataplans intricate, memorable from the artist forever known as prince.

is he a flamen, mentor, musician or a liar?

the holy and base combine, the base losing

compelling me to appreciate my wife until the sun retires.

Copyright 2005 Aaron C. Anderson

[Edited 5/4/15 9:25am]