MILES DAVIS

Notes with speed
Spilled out
Melting smooth
From the horn
Claiming the rights
At center stage.

Like hot water
With cool sounds
His lips gushed
Rich in jazz,
Flowing in waves
Muddied and thick.

The air fought
Hard for space
When his cheeks
Puffed for sound,
Knocking the cats
Off the fence.

Sing true and long
The praises high
For Miles passed
Under the bridge and
Rests with time
Where beats never die.

WALLS OF NOTES

Notes from
Years of music
Spread warmly
As if pasted
To the walls
In layered sheets.

Sarah’s fine silk
Drapes lovingly
Onto Count’s lapels
Then slips to the
Sax of a Coltrane
Express ride.

Louis’ horn
With brass
Hammering fingers
Beats the tired
Out of
Buddy’s drums.

Sing flat walls,
Like the cats
Who scratched
Out the sounds
That pushed jazz
Into our skin.

TAKE ME

Take me
To the inside
Where the
Music lives
At night….

Where my
Day melts
Like candle
Wax, hardened
To the floor….

In a room
Where passions
Drip with smiles
Past the time
To go….

And jazzy
Notes with
Curious fingers
Find my face
And soul.

UNDER THE SPELL

The hand
Of jazz
Leads me like
A river
Pushing water
Slowly to
The sea.

Sounds with
Soothing hands
Tug hard
Like strong
Twisted rope
Pulling me
Wide awake.

Each and every
Time the
Music washes
Over me with
Thirsty licks
I fall deep
Under the spell.