4 October 2026

By Philip Kuepper

Dolly Parton was the Walt
Whitman of Pop
music, an all embracing
gem of a person,
embodying what it is
to be American.
She sung the body electric.
She sung her way
into America’s heart.
She was an island of refuge
in the stream of life for many.
She came down from the mountain
with love written on her heart,
and sang it, radiating
in all directions.
She became every brother’s sister,
and a sister to women.
She was a leaf of grass
who grew green among the nettles.
She lived Walt’s poetry.
He prophesied her coming.

(29 September 2026)