.

.

The Sunday Poem  is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.

Ms. Wrobel reads her poem at its conclusion.

.

.

___

.

.

photo via Wallpaperflare

.

.

 

Deja Vu
……..(for Julie L., who sang jazz standards in Boston lounge bars)

Hearing Dylan’s Simple Twist of Fate
makes me wonder if fate is ever ‘simple’
whether twisted or straight

An appointment in Samara may
be delayed diverted even divined
but not avoided nor escaped

I know this is not a happy poem for
my thoughts are with the dead today
those who passed well into their time
those who went too soon and
them that never stood a chance
to be old or even grown

It’s been a year of too much grief
a decade of intimate loss
a century of decimation

I am however learning
from a beloved elder
whose memory is a Rubik’s cube
turning this way and that
to be alive in the present
making gifts of love

When Julie smiles
eyes shining
I know she has landed
on remembering me
says my name
recalls my face
together we sing Summertime
laugh and play like
kids on a family holiday

We tell each other
‘How lovely you look tonight’
and when leaving I see
how happy she can be
in this endless moment
her bright and open face
one such gift of love

.

Listen to Anna Wrobel read her poem

.

.

___

.

.

.

photo Lisa Gibson

Anna Wrobel is a child of post-WWII refugees.  She is an American historian, teacher and published poet with two collections, as well as having  poems and essays published in various journals.  She’s worked in theater, farming, artisanal craft and construction before arriving  at history and education. She’s given birth in the Galilee hills and Maine’s mountains.

.

.

Listen to the 1964 recording of vocalist Monica Zetterlund and pianist Bill Evans perform “Once Upon a Summertime” (with Chuck Israels, bass; and Larry Bunker, drums).

.

.

___

.

.

Click here  to view previous editions of  The Sunday Poem

.

Click here  for information about how to submit your poetry

Click here  to subscribe to the (free)  Jerry Jazz Musician  quarterly newsletter

Click here  to help support the ongoing and commercial-free publication of  Jerry Jazz Musician  (thank you!)

.

.

.

.