Gary Coleman (A Different Strokes Memorial) R.I.P. Poem by Luke Easter

Is it remotely possible to make millions of viewers glad,
Watching your show while your personal life is so sad,
Not so much the kidney problems although that’s bad,
But the millions earned stolen by your own mom & dad.

I can see an agent/manager taking everything you’re worth,
But the father who helped conceive & mom who gave birth?
Maybe there was a possibility of a behind the scenes curse,
As the very lovely young and talented Dana Plato went first.

Yo! I spoke to soon Gary’s adoptive parents milked him dry,
Okay, I guess that makes it alright and there’s no need to cry,
Well, whatever the case and no matter who they were or are,
Only God should him change from a shinning to a falling star.

Forget not Todd Bridges beaten by dad after he’d rehearse,
But, that abuse was only after mom had her butt beat first,
Mucho Denaro, several years top 10 rated shows that’s all,
So how come after the success it’s security in an area mall?

Oh, there was a brief stint in the now popular reality shows,
Where you’re cooped up with other fallen stars you know,
From the penthouse to the outhouse, too high now so low,
Hollywood, all he did and no place in the business to go?

Sadly this is the normal winding road for kids like this,
Bending over for a kick, instead of a handshake or kiss,
Your entire life of 42 years before you could finally be,
Prayerfully at ease without those sarcastic jokes, R.I.P.