.

.

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

Lauren Loya reads her poem at its conclusion.

.

.

___

.

.

© Veryl Oakland

.

.

 

I Blame Chet Baker

I blame Chet Baker
For opening a window into my past
Sensing that phantom trumpet in my capable hands
The smooth curves of the hard brass, the cold
Mouthpiece against my buzzing lips
Bright melodies blaring
From carefree days of my youth
I blame Chet Baker
For my glistening eyes
When listening reminds me of you
That wistful feeling, missing you dearly
Until we can be together again
Until then…
I’m falling deeper in love with every note
I blame Chet Baker
For carrying me through
Melancholy days and lonely nights
The sensitivity and beauty
Escaping that horn
Allows me to embrace
All the pain and struggles of life
I blame Chet Baker
For soothing me at midnight
Tucking me in on a soft, comforting cloud
Whispering to my troubled soul
As if to say, “Face it kid,
The world’s gonna break your heart.”

.

Listen to Lauren Loya read her poem

.

.

___

.

.

photo by Kelly Sime

Lauren Loya is a tough-talkin’ dame roaming the streets of Kansas City. She is a graduate of the Literature, Language, and Writing program at the University of Kansas. Her poetry has appeared in Coal City Review and Kansas City Voices. She pays the bills working in magazine production, and any free time is spent haunting local bookstores, hiking trails, antique malls, and jazz clubs.

.

.

Veryl Oakland is a photojournalist who devoted nearly thirty years in search of the great jazz musicians.  His  Jerry Jazz Musician  series, “Jazz in Available Light” – a collection of his photos and stories from his book of the same name – can be accessed by clicking here.

.

.

Listen to the 1958 recording of Chet Baker playing “Blue Thoughts” [Universal Music Group]

.

.

___

.

.

Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem

Click here for information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

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

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

.

___

.

Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced (and AI-free) since 1999

.

.

.