“Duke Ellington Max Roach Charles Mingus Swing Sing”– a poem by Michael L. Newell

May 13th, 2022

Duke Ellington, Max Roach, Charles Mingus on the cover of the 1962 recording Money Jungle

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Duke Ellington Max Roach Charles Mingus Swing Sing

bass opens the door
…..drums enter
……….piano strides authoritatively behind

chords crash
…..courtesy of The Duke
……….Mingus drives the trio along
……………drums unleashed by Roach whirl beneath

create explosive city life
……….unleash truth of tune’s title
……….……….……….Money Jungle:

a life among millions
……….constant skirmishes to make a living
……….a world where survival
……….is possible
……….yet an eternal struggle

drums never cease
……….bass sustains heartbeat sliding up and down
……………and piano sings swings creates modern dance
………………..of wild notes in cacophonous movement and sound
…………………….flings notes describing life’s strife
……….………………..and illimitable fray

then all fades slowly
……………into invisible night
………………..bass and piano murmur a few last notes
……………………final drumbeat slams door

between listeners and the mighty trio
…..the impossible occurs as silence
……….echoes into ache of nothingness

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Michael L. Newell lives in Florida

Listen to “Money Jungle”