“It’s Always April in Paris” – a poem (for April) by Jerrice J. Baptiste

April 1st, 2025

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Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan,  Melody Gardot and Nina Simone.  She welcomes April with a poem  welcoming the promise of Spring, a time that “breaks icy borders to free wild rivers.”

 

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April, 2025

“It’s Always April in Paris”

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Elizabeth Hudy (based on photo by Gary Pepper)/CC BY-ND 2.0

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It’s Always April in Paris

Blue jays and robins flutter in budding magnolia trees.
Early golden yellow forsythia bushes charm her eyes.

Your caress of her cheek reflects in the thawing pond.
She will always remember Paris where love has begun.

She wonders what you have done to her red chambers.
Walking on the bridge alone now her heart has a lover.

April in Paris breaks icy borders to free wild rivers.
It soars with spring birds. Song she’ll always remember.

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Listen to Jerrice J. Baptiste read her poem

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Listen to the 1955 recording of Sarah Vaughan singing the Vernon Duke/E.Y. Harburg composition “April in Paris,” featuring Jimmy Jones (piano); Clifford Brown (trumpet); Paul Quinichette (saxophone); and Herbie Mann (flute).   [Universal Music Group]

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Readers can click to each month of Jerrice’s 2025 calendar of jazz poetry  by clicking on the link to the months here:

Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec/Intro

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Jerrice  J. Baptiste  is a poet and author of nine books, Her most recent poetry book  Coral in The Diaspora  is published by Abode Press (August 2024). She’s been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize (2024 & 2025), and Best of the Net in 2022.   Jerrice‘s poems and collaborative songwriting are featured on the Grammy nominated album Many Hands Family Music for Haiti.

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Click for:

The Sunday Poem

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

“Bluesette,” Salvatore Difalco’s winning story in the 67th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician

Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter

Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)

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16 comments on ““It’s Always April in Paris” – a poem (for April) by Jerrice J. Baptiste”

  2. Jerrice perfectly captures the languid, longing pace of the music in the recording, the thaw of ice, the “wild rivers” running beneath. Beautiful work!

    Reply

  3. I love Jerrice’s poetry. She is an unusual talent, a natural poet with a poet’s soul, undefiled by all the interruptions of a frenetic culture. My theory is that if we could sprinkle our descending culture with several million Jerrices, the poisons would be purged, and we would find our souls again.

    Reply

    1. Frank, thanks so much for your insights and inspired ideas! I’m so flattered and grateful for such kind words! I’m thrilled you love my poems!
      Best wishes
      Jerrice

      Reply

    1. Thanks BA! I’m happy the poem and music reflect Spring. My favorite season. Happy Spring!
      Jerrice

      Reply

    1. Fabulous! Thanks Allison!
      Happy Spring from me and Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
      Jerrice

      Reply

    1. Thanks Lynn! I appreciate that you are a fan of my poem and feels it captures the song April in Paris!
      Joy, Jerrice

      Reply

    1. Merci beaucoup Nicole!! Tu es tres gentille! J’apprecie ton compliment!
      Avec Joie
      Jerrice

      Reply

    1. Thanks Joanne for revisiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine each month for a taste of the new poem of the calendar!
      Joy, Jerrice

      Reply

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