J. P. Getty Iii (In Memorial) Poem by Luke Easter

Razor! Not in the hands of a barber, still steady,
His kidnappers, a lock of hair, an ear. J.P. Getty,
Their demand for 17 million has dwindled, now 2.8,
14 other grand kids, J. P. III will just have to wait.

Heir to an oil fortune, wheelchair bound, he died,
Crippling drug overdose almost blind, paralyzed,
Now in need of constant medical care since 1981,
Money & happiness, not always a deal that’s done.

2/5/11, he passed away, family country compound,
A wake? Cheapest casket? Six feet under ground?
1973, divorced mother Gail Harris lived in a castle,
J Paul II abandoned the family too much of a hassle.

The 1960’s, papa headed off on a drug induced tour,
Like father like son nothing artificial, the best, pure,
J Paul III 15, hard drugs,7 private schools, expelled,
How many wanted his life unaware the private hell?

So he decided to become a painter locally selling art,
Death to money, fortune and fame, no longer a part,
Grandson of a billionaire peddling his artistic wares,
Father did pay 2.2 million tax deductible, he cares?

Guess it makes sense in the world of business deals,
Captors getting that much $$ for an ear what a steal,
Stately southern English country mansion in Surrey,
Was going to wait the thieves out he’s not in a hurry.

Phone call, national news, “Don’t let me be killed, ”
They threatened to mail a severed finger yet & still,
Police initially dismissed the idea, this kid’s a fake,
Family’s tight fisted, he wanted a share of the take.

Ok, so much for compassion from the local police,
They know when the sheep is trying to be fleeced,
Ransom was borrowed from dad J Paul I, but wait,
That cash was repaid at an annual 4% interest rate.

Now after spending 5 months chained to a cave wall,
He called to thank the old man who refused his call,
Methadone, Valium & alcohol, from the neck down,
Paul III died long before being buried under ground.

Released by his captors, found alone, I’ll never forget,
Did he ask police for food, water, medical? A cigarette,
The innocent age of 15 an addiction has already begun,
Is there no protection for even a billionaire’s grandson?

Smoking, drinking & drugs from the powerful to the weak,
Releasing pressure, rich, poor & in-between they all seek,
As parents or guardians responsible aren’t we/they liable?
So instead of giving money for addictions why not a bible?

Worth it? Does money & happiness always equate?
Is it possible for a rich man to suffer poor man fate?
What is the ratio from shedding thousands of tears?
In relevant terms of course, compared to your ear?









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