What Billie Sang About
by Aurora Lewis
Got that pain in my stomach
Breathing it out my nose
Hearing it ring inside my ears
Sucking at my breast like
a baby been starved
Filing my eyes with tears
Salt in the wound
This thing taunting
me at night, wrapping
Itself around me
without heat
I got me a case of what
Billie sang about, in search
of that lover man gone much to
long to miss him still, I feel her
pain running lucidly through
my veins
_____
Aurora M. Lewis, worked in the banking financial industry for 40 years and retired early in 2009. That same year she received a Certificate in Creative Writing-General Studies from UCLA, with honors. Her poems, short stories, and nonfiction have been accepted by The Literary Hatchet, Gemini Magazine, Persimmon Tree, and Tinderbox Poetry Journal, among others.
wonderful poems
Really liked Newell’s ‘Sketches of Spain’, a really strong haiku-variation.
Really liked Newell’s ‘Sketches of Spain’, a really strong haiku-variation.
Love this poem, very descriptive.
Love this poem, very descriptive.
I like this poem, What Billie Sang About, it’s very inspiring.
Thank you, Judy.
I like this poem, What Billie Sang About, it’s very inspiring.
Thank you, Judy.
I clearly visualize Spain’s intensely blue skies in “Sketches of Spain.” The last line of that poem is stunning–doing exactly what powerful music does–opens the soul. I look forward to reading your forthcoming book of poems.
I clearly visualize Spain’s intensely blue skies in “Sketches of Spain.” The last line of that poem is stunning–doing exactly what powerful music does–opens the soul. I look forward to reading your forthcoming book of poems.
“Pure Vinyl” is a good poem about one of my favorite albums, Two of a Mind. Well-done. It is a pleasure to see Mulligan and Desmond given their considerable due. I wore out my vinyl copy years ago.
“Pure Vinyl” is a good poem about one of my favorite albums, Two of a Mind. Well-done. It is a pleasure to see Mulligan and Desmond given their considerable due. I wore out my vinyl copy years ago.
Thanks Michael. I have both the vinyl and the CD. Your three short poems are great. Your contributions wonderful.
“Motion (for Elvin Jones)”: It is a pleasure to see one of the often ignored greats being given his due, a smoking hot drummer being honored with appropriate language. Way cool.
“Motion (for Elvin Jones)”: It is a pleasure to see one of the often ignored greats being given his due, a smoking hot drummer being honored with appropriate language. Way cool.
“Revelation” is good work. The final two stanzas are outstanding. They raise the hair on the back of my neck.
Revelation is good work. The final two stanzas are outstanding. They raise the hair on the back of my neck.
Dan Smith’s poem is very cool with a humorous bite in its closing lines. A good poem for oral presentation.
Dan Smith’s poem is very cool with a humorous bite in its closing lines. A good poem for oral presentation.
Dear Mr. Newell:
So glad that you liked my poem. I plan to add this to either my jazz poems set or my Cleveland Suite with The Deep Cleveland Trio.
I greatly enjoy John Stupp’s poem, “Four Pigeons” — I can envision Carl Sandburg reading it and bestowing his blessing on such fine work.
I greatly enjoy John Stupp’s poem, “Four Pigeons” — I can envision Carl Sandburg reading it and bestowing his blessing on such fine work.
Thanks for the kind words Michael. I’m just a sideman in this band. There’s a lot of good poems here.
“What Billie Sang About” is a poem that touches the heart, and summons up a jazz giant in all her pain and musical power. One can feel the empathy the poet has for the singer.
“What Billie Sang About” is a poem that touches the heart, and summons up a jazz giant in all her pain and musical power. One can feel the empathy the poet has for the singer.
Roger Singer’s “Release” captures admirably the pain, grief, and loss that has filled the work of so many jazz artists over the past century. Powerful work.
Roger Singer’s “Release” captures admirably the pain, grief, and loss that has filled the work of so many jazz artists over the past century. Powerful work.
So proud to publish such talented poets, and to see a community develop. I am very grateful to all writers who think enough of Jerry Jazz Musician to submit work for consideration.
So proud to publish such talented poets, and to see a community develop. I am very grateful to all writers who think enough of Jerry Jazz Musician to submit work for consideration.
All of the poems had some great poetic technique. I enjoyed them all. For Michael Newell. All the poems you have had in JJM, I have liked very much. You have a way of creating imagery, that really stays in the mind.
All of the poems had some great poetic technique. I enjoyed them all. For Michael Newell. All the poems you have had in JJM, I have liked very much. You have a way of creating imagery, that really stays in the mind.