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

George Held reads his poem at its conclusion.

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The cover of John Coltrane’s fourth album (1958)

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Soultrane

Soultrane came out when Ike governed.
1958. Before our nation
Would build up its war machine to invade
Viet Nam, training its Green Berets

In the hills of the Ko‘olau Mountains, above
Our campus, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.  At Kam School
We could hear the choppers in those hills
As our troops practiced for the invasion

To be in the jungles “over there”
While over here, in Philly, John Coltrane
Was blowing up a storm on his alto horn
For what would be his fourth studio album,

Soultrane, one of the many puns on the name
Of he who would become a saint
in his own AOC church:

A jazz musician, born in North Carolina,
Famous for his licks and arrangements,
Hallowed as a saint.

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Listen to George Held read his poem

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George Held has published 22 books, and his work has appeared in, among other periodicals, Blue Unicorn, Spring, Transference, and Two Cities Review.  He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize eleven times.

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Listen to the 1958 recording of John Coltrane performing “You Say You Care,” from his album  Soultrane,  with Red Garland (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); and Art Taylor (drums).  [Universal Music Group]

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Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem

Click here to read “A Collection of Jazz Poetry – Winter, 2024 Edition”

Click here to read “The Old Casino,” J.B. Marlow’s winning story in the 64th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

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!)

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