Saxophone

The cellar is his bleak repose,
in concert with the cockroaches and flies,
it's here he wipes his runny nose,
toils the day long, sunshine tries,

insinuates through rough and crumbled boards.
The colour of his skin constricts,
the bottom of the pile, his heritage affords
no more, the atmosphere restricts

his breath. It leans against the wall,
his tarnished, dusty saxophone,
a measure of the time when he stood tall,
cadenzas, and his free and strident tone.


(Note: written as if in the 1940's)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009



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Date: 3/5/2009 7:17:00 AM
this is amazing.... it makes me feel like im back in the older days. amazing write
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Date: 2/16/2009 7:20:00 AM
You just keep on getting better and better. I thought you were amazing when I first started reading you. However, now you overshadow the work from then. Your growth as a writer is displayed fully in pieces like this, the description, the mood, the scene. You are amazingly talented. Nathaniel
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Date: 2/15/2009 11:09:00 AM
Why, Keith, how did you know how much I liked "Richard Cory" and other works by E. A. Robinson. I think he had a profound impact on me. Thanks for reading "Mr. Mark." Love, Carolyn
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Date: 2/14/2009 4:17:00 PM
Dear Keith, How could a poet be speechless? You write eloquently and I feel you are my friend. Happy Valentine's Day, Carolyn
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Date: 2/12/2009 7:30:00 PM
Keith, regarding your last comment - Don Henley is a drummer, too, and one of our finest lyricists. You share his talent! Like the "Coltrane" reference. "Henley" is MY password.
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Date: 2/12/2009 7:15:00 PM
Keith, thanks for your kind thoughts on my poem "Into the Weeds." When I finished writing it I was weeping as it is a true story. I appreciate your comments. Now get back and play that saxophone in memory of my beloved father. Carolyn
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Date: 2/12/2009 7:00:00 PM
Keith, my father recently passed away and we are wondering what to do with his saxophone. Dad was 93 and was still playing the sax, clarinet and harmonica in a band! He stood tall until the end, and I hope you will as well. Dust off your sax and start playing again! Nice poem! Carolyn
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Date: 2/12/2009 9:40:00 AM
music is timeless art. only predjudice tore it apart. but music is indistructable and artist unforgetable. john
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Date: 2/8/2009 4:24:00 PM
The creative imagery conveys your thoughts in an interesting way. Much to think about here. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Karen
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Date: 2/2/2009 6:24:00 PM
Excellent, Keith. The saxophone, french horn and oboe are my favorite instruments. This poem captured the essence of a quiet, forgotten Artie Shaw era...the 1940's element sings softly in the background of this well crafted write. Strains of Tommy Dorsey's legacy lives within the heart of Keith Bickerstaffe. Peace always, John
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Date: 2/2/2009 12:53:00 PM
I think the subject could be Charlie Parker. I wanted to play like him through high school and college. He put down his saxophone for a syringe. Bebop started in these types of clubs in Harlem, cockroaches and all. Awesome write Kieth.
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Date: 2/2/2009 6:06:00 AM
Nice piece. I love the sound of a good saxophone playing. Continue to share and thanks for the reviews on my pieces. My writing comes from the heart and are usually based on actual events taking place on " My Journey". This is a project the Lord gave me. He said write so this is my story.
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Date: 2/2/2009 3:59:00 AM
My apologies for the typo on your name, I realised as soon as I hit enter!! :( Anne.
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Date: 2/2/2009 3:57:00 AM
I'm so new to all of this! Very good writing kieth and thank you for your comment on my poem! Anne.
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Date: 2/2/2009 3:43:00 AM
Nice period piece Keith, great insight...Raul
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Date: 1/31/2009 9:31:00 AM
How soothing, the "mellow tone" of the saxophone. I love how well you paint such humble, but profound portraits of humanity, Keith. Well done. Hugs, Donna G.
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Date: 1/31/2009 4:25:00 AM
Nice jazzy riff! Like something out of Kerouac. Thanks for your kind words and keep writing. Matthew Anish
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Date: 1/29/2009 5:27:00 PM
Wonderful verse Keith. Your imagery is great and your ability to transport the reader to the scene is as always, perfect. Such a deep well you draw from, my talented friend! Love and hugs, Robin
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Date: 1/29/2009 5:24:00 AM
Good day to you, Keith! Masterfully done! You have created a melancholy scene where one can almost hear the sound of the jazzy/blues saxophone playing in the background. Perfect cadency and outstanding imagery..."his breath, It leans against the wall". You Rock, Keith Bickerstaffe! Best to you..God's blessings on you and yours! Love, Mikki
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Date: 1/29/2009 3:15:00 AM
I love this, the first verse especially, love the wiping the noce, strong imagry - love that! I like the duality and interchangability of the man and his sax - it could be either or your writing of, and think it's perfect the way it is - awesome. love, Kristin
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Date: 1/28/2009 1:18:00 PM
Keith you have given this a structure with end rhyme yet the meter is off, and perhaps the point of view should be firmer, is it the instruments point of view or the musicians? It's too good not to take another pass at it to make it clearer. Also, the indecision on what to capitalize, when and where doesn't aid the readers comprehension. Take the above with "a grain of salt" Your friend Debbie Guzzi
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Date: 1/28/2009 10:52:00 AM
This poem rocks. Love the beauty and imagery that plays in this piece...rocking write.
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Date: 1/28/2009 9:30:00 AM
I can relate to this a bit as each time I pass my guitar in my basement there is an overcoming emotion of loss. Your words offer so much imagery, clear but sad. An excellent write. Michael
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