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Open Poetry #40
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The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest

0 posted 2007-04-25 10:06 AM



if you ask Telford
he does not know how old he is  
this he knows  

Dominica is a green and sandy island

at dark  
covered in music
estrellitas at counter point
Dominica conjours
street jump ups
moko jumbies striding
colors loosed from kaleidoscope
swirling free
steel bands
children's hands patting
women's hips swaying with delicious
men smiling big teeth

and he
kept the pulse  
with his djun-djuns
hands slapping goat skin
bare feet patting dirt
joy
lapping at his mouth

if you ask
he does not know where he lives  
this he knows  

his djun-djuns are gone
his wide hipped wife
who rocked him slowly is gone
his children are gone

if you ask
he does not know who he is
this he knows

he misses  
Dominica
a green and sandy island  

______


he cannot speak  
this tall and beautiful man  
but if you remind him
that he once played trumpet with Count Basie  
his brown eyes swim  
and he scats  
beedley bop bop booey
diddley dot dot dooey…
dah dah dah dah dah dah dah

and if you mention
One O'Clock Jump    
his good hand cannot be still  
moves that slide memory
back and forth  
tears pouring down his face

and there
in tall silent silhouette
appears Herb
the young man

who once played trumpet

with Count Basie






© Copyright 2007 Kate - All Rights Reserved
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

1 posted 2007-04-25 10:16 AM


reminding me of the ol music fair in New Jersey, where I saw Count Basie and Lena Horn....

this was amazingly persistant with visuals, warmth for the soul....life in its rarest form...you've penned a classic here...

loved this

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
2 posted 2007-04-25 11:06 AM


This is so beautiful, a wonderful portrait of artists. You've captured them with great love and compassion.
Startime55
Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148
Alberta, Canada
3 posted 2007-04-25 11:11 AM


The beauty of these visions and the compassion of your heart for this man bring tears to the eyes...Magnificent...*Big Hugs*
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2007-04-25 11:32 AM



I think your therapy transgresses jazz,
and jives up the soul.



Well done, dear!

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2007-04-25 11:32 AM


smiling wide--

YAY!

The Lady's got rhythm too!

This made me so happy this morning...I feel like I can hear music again after a very long and painful silence.

thank you sweet Lady

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
6 posted 2007-04-28 01:28 AM




thank you so very much LeeJ

thank you Kacy

thank you Star
big hugs to you

thank you Karilea


I’m glad you can hear music again
sweet serenity

it was your music  
your poem that reminded me
I was holding this
so thank you

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