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photo Bret Stewart/Wikimedia Commons

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Afterwards
…………………….For the Spring of 2020

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…………………..“The World Breaks Everyone, And Afterwards,
……………………Many Are Stronger At The Broken Places.”

…………………………………………………………….– Ernest Hemingway.

 

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many, many, years ago
…………I was in need
…………………..of some extra money.

I had decided
…………to sell my upright 1940’s
………………….. kay bass violin.

however
…………this april
…………………..I still have it:

and I always know …
…………how much
…………………..it still means to me.

…………*****

it is beyond compare
…………with the comfort
…………………..it gives.

just feeling the design
…………of the birds eye
…………………..maple neck …

and then again …
…………just lightly touching
…………………..the strings.

…………*****

there’s the deep strength of sound:
…………reassuring and resounding
…………………..from the perfectly placed bass notes.

this bass
…………has been
…………………..a lifelong friend:

I need this old bass
…………in these trying times
…………………..now more …than ever.

…………*****

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Alan Yount, 72, has published poetry for over 50 years. His poems have appeared in WestWard Quarterly (featured poet for summer, 2018). Big Scream, Spring: the Journal of the E.E. Cummings Society, and Waterways.

He has been in three anthologies: Passionate Hearts, Sunflowers.and Locomotives: Songs for Allen Ginsburg. Alan was one of 31 poets, along with Gary Snyder and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Also Chrysalis Reader.

Alan plays trumpet and has led his own dance band.

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Listen to bassist Larry Grenadier play “Oceanic,” from his 2019 ECM album The Gleaners

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