walking through life as as a black person,
the world needs to understand
we rock with a rhyme, we bop with a beat
we jive like a jazz band
we improvise on the fly
we adapt to any situation
we can spit a rhyme in real time
and connect with a combination
we can create out of chaos
we can take trash and turn it into treasure.
we can see beauty in the midst of bedlam
and turn dissonance into sounds of pleasure
to journey through life as a black person
we march to the beat up our own drums
we always have a song in our hearts
we are musical phenomenons
we are the deepness of the base
we are the sexiness of the saxophone
we are the smoothness of the violin
we are the richness of the trombone
we have the versatility of the piano
we're the lead guitar that gives the melody
we are the trumpets in life that blow
with much power and intensity
we are the rhythm, we are the rhyme
we are the harmony
we are black people journeying through life
with a musical propensity
so keep shining, keep grinding
keep moving with all that jazz
because walking through life as the black person
just means we have much pizzazz
Back from the desert and loving it
both the visit and the return.
The powerful plane deiced in Chicago.
Brittlebush, difficulty distinguishing acacia from ironwood.
Mesquite, and plenty of paloverde.
A good jazz band in Phoenix, their own style, no apology.
Could you also love your cancer? The vicious attack of a hedgehog
cactus?
The winter storm that kept us on the tarmac three hours
followed us home. Used to be
when weather made the headlines, that was good news.
No more. Those melting icecaps and incoming meteors.
Some pray, some stay still, some keep playing.
Anyway, notwithstanding inexorably expanding or otherwise rapidly
contracting universes
I saw cercocarpus, phainopepla, tomentilla, saguaro, and a great guitarist.
Prayers were answered.
It's a beautiful evening as we wait in line to board our boat
Autumn is in the air we require a light coat
The Mississippi River waters rejoice in the glowing moonlight
We are greeted by the captain encouraging us to kick back and enjoy the night
Once aboard a flight of stairs, we must climb with a three-course dinner as our reward
The food arrives such a culinary delight with our glasses to welcome the wine soon to be poured
On deck a jazz band tunes up to create beautiful music we can dance to
Our chance to show our moves with perhaps something new
Our journey down the majestic river is about to begin
A paddle boat passes all lit up such a dazzling display
With all the stunning sights we are about to see along the way
A picture postcard we must create, lasting memories here to stay
Different is Just Different
He’s tall and muscular
and sports a short gray beard.
I see him every Sunday.
Often, he stands near
the church’s jazz band, moving
in rhythm with the music.
Maybe he is wearing a
sleeveless, horizontal stripe
pink and white sundress
with neon pink stockings,
perhaps wedge heels edged
with pink, or buckles,
small pink purse hanging
over his shoulder, and
of course, a hat, sometimes straw,
sometimes, a la Minnie Pearl,
with price tags here and there.
Musically gifted, intelligent,
and a devout Christian,
not dressed for shock or show,
he is completely comfortable
living in his own skin,
which is as it should be.
Sometimes late at night, I think of where they all went.
For those left behind, my thoughts are now sent.
Are the streets paved with gold, do they sparkle and shine?
Can you still get a steak dinner, and a nice glass of wine?
Is the music country and western, do they have rock n roll?
Maybe it just depends on each heart and soul.
Will I get to go fishing, for some walleye or maybe trout?
I’m really looking forward to seeing what that life’s all about.
Will everyone just pray in white robes where they stand?
Maybe there’ll be a piano, and a good old jazz band.
Since we’re made in his image, I wonder if heaven will be fun.
I guess we’ll find out when it’s all said and done.
For now, I’ll be thankful, for each and every breath.
I’ll enjoy every sunset, right up to my own death.
I will do my very best to honor God and be a good gent.
Sometimes late at night, I think of where they all went.
insomniac thoughts
I awoke this morning to find pure mayhem at hand
The voices in my head, during the night
Dripped out my ears like liquid seeds
that grew like a weed these twisted evil things
These dark shades of my mind, drank all my coffee
And then full chaos was soon at hand, as dawn awoke
They laughed in wicked merriment as they danced
Demonic tunes appeared as if from the very air
As if a ghostly devil's jazz band was here
And the lunacy surely didn't finish there
But thankfully sleep came again to free me from
my insomniac madman's mind from further sights
By no sleep Marcellus Wilinski hahaha lol
once i had footprints as tattoos
the art was tasteless
the seed was a hateful hoax
once i had phlegm laced spit in every hair follicle
the gleam was unattractive
the roots were unbalanced and unevenly growing
once i had gnats fronting as a jazz band predominately playing dirges
the rhythm was a compulsive liar
the melody was basically a malady
then you came along
you saw me in all chapters of unkempt
you dried my tears
you gave me shelter
you made me pray with you
you Loved me to Wellness
now i am a better man
now i am smelling like lavender and vanilla
now my heart is richer than my many big pictures
now i know the true meaning of Prosperous Gratitude
now i know what it really feels like to be Definitively Loved
Now I Thank God and Give Him Praise For You.....
now i must go and get myself together and get ready
her funeral starts at 11am
her last words to me were 'You Blessed My Life By My Saving Yours'
Treasure The Pleasure Of God's Blessings......
I think he comes from the Tangerine Sun, she said.
I wondered about this, but she added his name was Tedd.
He’s cool and suave, debonair, fancy, gloriously bright and keen.
I think he’s a star of some kind, a consort to their queen.
I had to see this runway type of an alien guy.
Don’t question my instincts; please don’t ask me why.
He sauntered up to me and asked me to take him to our king.
I told him that I would but his lazars he could not bring.
He put down his weapons, and sauntered toward me in a swishy way.
I wondered what he would be doing to us by the end of today.
He did not make small talk, preferred to sit in silence, being grand.
I asked if he wanted anything. He said “yes, a jazz band.”
So we brought out the band, and they gave him a taste.
Of what our music sounds like. He began to twist at his waist.
He boogied and two-stepped and began hopping around.
He radioed the mother ship “come on down, I have found….”
A wonderful planet that loves orange, and is jazzy.
A place where we can swim, dance, play, and be snazzy.
A bigger ship landed, and fancy aliens came out.
Being fancy and noticed, is what they were all about.
Blue skies gives my imagination joy"s.
The soaring of a plane to a new place.
The Pandemic limits all of our toys.
Early morning dew drops are in our face.
Traveling with eyes only girls and boys.
Roll down emerald's land of Ireland.
Visualize being in that pretty land.
In your mind walking the grand Seggettii.
Figurtively join New Orleans jazz band
Envision Italy's cheese spaghetti.
.
October 13, 2020
Dizain Poetry Contest
Sponsor Emile Pinet
.
I'll just step
very softly,
tip toe,
on this blank page.
My inner critic?
fast asleep!
Perhaps
I'll tap dance,
lightly,
while he snores.
For freedom
has a jazz band beat
...soon twirling dizzily...
Shhh!
The prison guard stirs.
9/27/2019
Yalto Poems Only Contest
Emile Pinet, Sponsor
Surrounded by two rapid running shores
a concrete chain of buildings fill the skies
strong pungent scents compete with rapid scores
of pulsing sounds and screeching, crowded cries
iconoclastic beats and muted sighs
the City always wakens sleepy eyes.
We hail a taxi from a dirty curb
while subways rumble, sweating underground
and ride the hustle through the shifting herd
torrential rains quite suddenly come down
they slap and streak the windows all around
as raindrops distort faces that surround.
A plethora of sights spread like a feast
from Broadway shows to High Line paths that span
Hudson River’s architectural peaks
roof top restaurants, a classy jazz band
we disappear into museum land
then sink to sleep, a true, devoted fan.
To venture into life’s mosaic streams
is to taste and embrace all that it means.
Written on 5/21/2019
I love an old movie called "Some Like It Hot"
Two guys from a jazz band, had witnessed a plot!
Their lives might expire
from gangster's gunfire
They ran like the dickens without getting shot!
They're quick to leave town, while they try to compose...
With tricks of their own, before anyone knows!
With wigs on their heads
and lipsticks of red …….
They're wearing silk undies, and new pantyhose!
They land a new job... (Not a word to the wise!),
while dressed as two chicks, as an artful disguise
But surprise takes a twist
when they cannot resist
a marriage proposal, and a boat full of lies!!
Romance in the "20's" was stranger than not!
Bootleggers and gangster's would stir up the pot
The plot only thickens
The pace of it quickens,
when they find true love on a millionaire's yacht!
_________________________________________________
3/16/18
For "Favorite Comedy Movie" contest
Sponsored by Alexis Y
As the tides roll in the salty smell,
I stand by the sea and know all is well.
For the sound of the waves and the twilight sky,
Calms my soul, and knows peace is nigh.
And the reflection of the moon in the sea,
Makes all the darkness inside me flee.
And the sound of the crickets inside my head,
Makes me feel like I'm back in bed.
They entertain the turtles, slugs and sand,
Them in their little cricket jazz band.
Then, the feeling of wet sand on my toes,
And the smell of the sea flowing in my noes,
Then I see the glow of morning over the horizon,
And peace fills my soul, the sun is rising.
Then the cool sea breeze fills my hair,
And as I look at the sky, I know dawn is near.
Then slowly, the crickets stop.
And the moon and stars begin to drop.
Soon the sky will fill with light,
So kiss goodbye the starry night.
Kiss goodbye the stars and moon,
For those white peppered flecks will be gone soon.
And as the darker sky turns to gray,
You must soon get ready for day.
Your stirring within me seeks liberty,
instruments of your release, versatile:
the human voice, guitar strings, piano…
orchestra or jazz band.
Accompanied by long hours of practice
your company, is strangely addictive;
No matter how I try to set you free,
you're there in my heartland.
O, fuel of my soul's best expression,
you energize my mind and emotions.
Moving me to tears, moving me to praise,
how? I cannot understand.
edited, April 5, 2017
Of all the colours under the sun,
Pink must be my favourite one.
That's why cherry blossoms score
high, they bloom outside my door.
Lilies also come in pink.
Their scent is divine I think.
So I plant them where I can see.
Outside while I'm in having tea.
On my table in my porch.
Delicate pink orchids now bloom forth.
Pink pansies on the piano stand.
In front of my ceramic jazz band.
On my deck, pink roses overflow.
From a bush planted long ago.
Such a girlie colour pink.
The one that makes the boys wink.
Related Poems