The Sunday Poem: “The Drop of the Needle” by Russell duPont

May 7th, 2023

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

Mr. duPont reads his poem at its conclusion.

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Tengilorg, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Drop of the Needle

The lazy melody of
McCoy Tyner’s “Goodbye”
flows over and around me,
finally fading into silence,
and Pandora slides into
Garner’s Concert by the Sea.
“Autumn Leaves” begin to fall,
the sound, so clear and crisp
I can almost hear each leaf
touch the ground.

What I miss, most of all,
is the drop of the needle
into the worn grove
of a vinyl record;
its warm tones;
its occasional scratches;
and the quiet pleasure
of closing my eyes
and leaning back
as the day grows long.

Listen to Russell duPont read this poem

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Russell duPont is an artist and an author whose artwork is included in a number of public and private collections. He has published three novels; King & Train, Waiting for the Turk and Movin’ On, the sequel to King & Train; two books of poetry; and two non-fiction chapbooks. His essay, “The Corner,” is included in the anthology Streets of Echoes. His work has been published in various newspapers and literary magazines. He was the founder & publisher of the literary magazine, the albatross.

Visit his website by clicking here

Listen to the 1963 recording of McCoy Tyner (with Roy Haynes, drums and Henry Grimes, bass) playing “Goodbye” [Universal Music Group]