Slice of Life/Day in a Poem (Day 26): The Street and Beat of Jazz

(This is for the Slice of Life challenge, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. We write on Tuesdays about the small moments in the larger perspective and then all through March — every single day  …  You write, too.)

The stage seems crowded –
the saxophonist elbow to elbow
with the flutist, standing right above
the strings – a cello and two violins –
as the drummer smiles and shines,
keeping time with the bass,
and the guitarist/conductor
criss-crossing the air with hands
commanding the band,
listening for the vocalist, in a red dress
mirroring the energy of audience,
to sing us all into New York City:
an ‘Upper West Side Love Story’
told of the street of the beat of jazz

(Watching Freddy Bryant in concert at the Bombyx Center)

Peace (listening),
Kevin

7 Comments
  1. I always admire how you capture so much in so few words. You have an amazing collection of poetry from the years of slicing! Love the drummer smiling and shining in this one– not how I’d usually think about a drummer and the contrast of what I’d think and how you describe him works!

  2. I truly need to stop by here more often! I learn so much about poetry from reading yours. What a beautiful moment you have captured.

  3. I’m so glad you gave the context for the concert at the end. It enriches the poem. Favorite line is “ criss-crossing the air with hands.”

  4. Brilliant description. I love the connection you make between you and the performers:
    listening for the vocalist, in a red dress
    mirroring the energy of audience,

  5. This sounds lovely, Kevin! Isn’t it true that the energy of the audience is reflected in the energy of the performance!

  6. This poem captures all the energy of both the band and the audience present together in your succinct yet detailed description. I especially love how I can feel the rhythm of the music come through in the final line.

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