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“Keyboard,” by Marsha Hammel

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Resurrection Of A Muse

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Through meditation,

I become transfixed—….. transported

to the days….. of….. Baldwin & Joplin,

the Black Renaissance …of …Harlem— the resurrection

of a muse …..Langston Hughes,

…………………………Billie—

singing the blues….. in smoke-filled-rooms;

a melancholy song—….. from the mouth of a horn,

the slick snare …..of a drum

…………………………………arumpa- bump- bum.

 

The tips of my fingers …sliding swiftly across …ebony & ivory keys,

a symbolic dichotomy / of black & white / wealth & poverty—

…………………………….Antebellum & freedom.

………………..Each clack of the keys—

……………………………….an eerie echo

………………..from the ghosts

 

of nostalgia

………………..who

……………………….constantly

………………………………haunt

…………………………………….me.

 

 

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Prince A. McNally is a widely published teaching poet out of Brooklyn, N.Y. who facilitates workshops for kids in crisis through schools & outreach programs, utilizing poetry & creative writing as a means of expression & self-discovery. His poems have appeared in Boog City, Spill Words, Tuck Magazine, Dissident Voice, Jerry Jazz Musician & The Blue Mountain Review, to name a few. In addition, he is a recipient of a Poets & Writer’s Grant, an NYPHA Award & several Best of The Net nominations.

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A native of Miami, FL, Marsha Hammel grew up in Central America and Europe returning to the states in 1961. A prolific artist, she enjoys a wide audience for original paintings and published works in the UK, having been represented by Felix Rosenstiel’s in London since the early 90’s. During a four-decade studio practice, at least 1500 paintings have become part of private, corporate and institutional collections throughout the US and Europe.  Click here to visit her website.

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Listen to the 1939 recording of Billie Holiday singing “Yesterdays”

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