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AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

0 posted 2009-11-06 10:28 AM

The mellow sound
of his alto sax
suffused
the pedestrian mall
with the echo
of a gentler
time.

Several older listeners
thought of Charlie Parker,
of Stan Getz,
and of the magical freedom
jazz bestows
on the human
soul.

His worn Stetson
accepted the tribute
of coins
that could not begin
to feed the hunger
behind
his scarred arms.

He plays
as though his spirit
was aflame,
the difficulty of his
methadone treatment
and his worsening Hep C
forgotten.

He smiles
as several of his listeners
break into applause,
just before
tone-deaf Mall Security
roughly tells him
to move along.

* "Body and Soul" is the title of a recording made in 1939 by Coleman Hawkins that became THE model for later jazz solos on all instruments.

From "Anger in the Street" series

"We are stardust: we are golden: and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." --Joni Mitchell "Woodstock"

2islander2
Member Ascendant

since 2008-03-12

Posts 6825
by the sea

1 posted 2009-11-06 11:22 AM

so human, if we forget to help each others we will fade in every senses.

thanks

yann

luminosity
Senior Member

since 2005-11-18

Posts 813

2 posted 2009-11-06 01:19 PM

oh I do love this, its as if one were standing in the audience......sigh

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

3 posted 2009-11-06 02:19 PM

I never understood why they constantly chase the music makers from the streets. It brightens everone's day and helps the player earn a little acceptance along with a little money. Thanks for this one. All you write is great but I was drawn to this. latearrival

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

4 posted 2009-11-07 03:23 AM

Love your tales of the street. You have wonderful insight and a marvelous understanding of the human codition.
Ida

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

5 posted 2009-11-07 12:31 PM

Ancient Wise One, you are an incredibly gifted writer and a keen observer of the human condition.

This was a brilliant expose!

Signed,
A FAN!!!

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant

since 2000-12-22

Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace

6 posted 2009-11-07 02:50 PM

we never know
the silence
behind anothers smile

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

7 posted 2009-11-08 06:17 AM

This is heartwrenchingly melancholic and written with your usual mastery.

Busking should not be looked at as begging, it is an offering of the musicians' talent and should be appreciated and enjoyed.

Deeply poignant.

Love,
Margherita

AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

8 posted 2009-11-09 03:05 PM

Thank you all so very much! This piece means a lot to me.

Namaste
Jim

"We are stardust: we are golden: and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." --Joni Mitchell "Woodstock"

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