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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Matthew Johnson reads his poem at its conclusion.
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Michelangelo Caetani, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped from “The Divine Comedy Described in Six Plates”)
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Love which quickly takes a gentle heart, took him for my fair shape.
Love which does not allow not to love back, took me for him.
Love lead us to one single death
(vv. 103-105, Canto V, Inferno)
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The Divine Comedy as a Jazz Piece
I was preparing to make my exit from Heaven back to Earth,
And it was late March, so the lounge had transitioned
To their hot jazz band after playing the cool for months.
On my way to the door, I noticed that the occupants of the Spheres
In a realm of broken time, were doing things I wish I could do for all my life,
Tapping their feet and chewing their gum to the beat of the band
And whispering kind things in each other’s ears, like being in love.
Just as I was leaving, Beatrice stopped me to share a few more nuggets;
Love is for eternity, and while jazz doesn’t fix the world, it really helps.
I wouldn’t see her again for a long time,
And after I was let out, I looked into the midnight sky,
And clustered like Manhattan and shining like a candelabra, were the stars…
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previously published in The London Magazine
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Listen to Matthew Johnson read his poem
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photo by Destinee’ Allen
Matthew Johnson is the author of, Shadow Folks and Soul Songs (Kelsay Books) and Far from New York State (NYQ Press). He has a forthcoming chapbook scheduled for a late 2024 release through Finishing Line Press. His poetry has appeared in Delta Poetry Review, Hudson Valley Writers Guild, London Magazine, Northern New England Review, and elsewhere. A recipient of Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominations, he is the managing editor of The Portrait of New England and the poetry editor of The Twin Bill.
Click here to visit his website
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Listen to the 1969 recording of the Modern Jazz Quartet performing “Visitor From Mars” [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 “Ballad,” Lúcia Leão’s winning story in the 65th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
Click here for information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
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