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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
dan smith reads his poem at its conclusion.
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photo via getarchive.net
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When The Dance Began
and everything was evergreen
the light was so strong
we didn’t realize we were burning-
We were angels
and angels fly forever
with a radiance that
fills the sky-
Deacon’s Hop was a wordless hymn
and dancing was the sacredness our bodies knew-
Your face was incandescent
a beckoning star-
No need of candles
we never thought of darkness-
No promises were made
there was nothing to forgive-
We had everything to live for
like another summer day-
I still see your wistful smile
was it that you knew how soon
the dance would end?
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Listen to dan smith read his poem
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dan smith is the author of Crooked River and The Liquid of Her Skin, the Suns of Her Eyes. He has been widely published in such diverse journals as The Rhysling Anthology, Deep Cleveland Junk Mail Oracle, Dwarf Stars, Gas Station Famous, Sein und Werden, and Jerry Jazz Musician. Nominated for the 2025 Pushcart Prize, his most recent poems have been published by Five Fleas Itchy Poetry, dadakuku, The Ekphrastic Review Challenge, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, tsuri-doro, Sense and Sensibility and The Solitary Daisy.
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Listen to the 1955 recording of Big Jay McNeely performing “Deacon’s Hop” [Zebralution GmbH]
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Click for:
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
“Bluesette,” Salvatore Difalco’s winning story in the 67th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999
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