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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Victor Enns reads his poem at its conclusion.
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“Percussion” by Marsha Hammel
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Vibrations
My eyes were faster dreaming
a drum kit in bed with me
Rapid Eye Movement Disorder
disturbing my sleep and my wife
moving away with her cellphone
camera watch my arms begin to move
sliding up the headboard make
every move with my hands
arms that I’ve seen what’s more
I was keeping time a revelation
reminding me of sitting in an auditorium
slapping my leg ceaselessly never finding
the rhythm for Count Basie the real
Count Basie band, no idea which
drummer was in the band,
but man, I was excited.
I was excited. Gentleman
next to me, very politely and graciously
asking “you’re a drummer then?”
“No, I said with embarrassment
having drawn attention
I didn’t want then, or
that night in bed
next to you darling,
just banging asway
waking up just in time
for the smash of a cymbal
then holding gently
to keep the vibrations
still in my hands.
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Listen to Victor Enns read his poem
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Victor Enns live in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada, where he reads and writes poetry and fiction. His first jazz show was seeing Count Basie, with the Count still at the piano, at the old Civic Auditorium in Winnipeg. Some of his poems appear in the book Love & Surgery, (Radiant Press, 2019). His book Afghanistan Confessions, Poems in the Voice of Canadian Soldiers, was published in 2014, and Lucky Man (2005) was nominated for the McNally Robinson Manitoba Book of the Year award. His poems have also appeared in Rattle and Shot Glass Journal in the U.S.
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Listen to the 1958 recording of the Count Basie Orchestra playing “Sleepwalker’s Serenade” [Parlophone]
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A native of Miami, FL, Marsha Hammel grew up in Central America and Europe, returning to the states in 1961. A prolific artist, she enjoys a wide audience for original paintings and published works in the UK, having been represented by Felix Rosenstiel’s in London since the early 90’s. During a four-decade studio practice, at least 1500 paintings have become part of private, corporate and institutional collections throughout the US and Europe. Click here to visit her website.
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Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Click here for information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
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