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Best Poems Written by Mark Dixon

Below are the all-time best Mark Dixon poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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In a West Coast State of Mind

Gentle fog
descends from the rooftops
as sleek tuxes
evening gowns
crowd the velvet rope below

Breathy sax notes
drift out to the sidewalk
through the open front door
all gravelly and clear
breakin every rule
makin it up right on the spot
soft piano and bass
behind him
just comping while he jams

Couples in line
for the second show
lean forward
to steal a listen
check their wristwatch

Drummer gets frantic
with a blast beat
on the cymbals and snare
sayin it's his turn now
then settles down
to a quick steady bounce
from the corner
of groove and feel

Banana liqueur
in a tall chilled glass
makes that long wait outside
almost worth it:
tropical refreshment
with just a hint of hibiscus
a delightfully
sweet
jazzy
kick

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We'Ll Definitely Be Back

Glissandos
with a twist of tangy lime
arpeggios
in starched cuffs and gleaming buttons
sparkle from the ivories
of a Baldwin baby grand
leaving the root notes
for the double bass to play

It's honey
in be-bop
pure rich amber honey
with a cinnamon stick
and a drop of syncopation
blending in soft beats
of a hi-hat
gentle brushes on a tom

A second round
of drinks arrives
as conversations hush
and candles flicker

Our new favorite diner
with smooth live jazz
on Wednesdays

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Boulevard Beat

Fans
all in their finest
with cashmere scarves
enchanted eyes
step quickly from taxis
at curbside
or ascend the subway stairs
eager for an evening
of cocktails
and smooth saucy
straight ahead jazz
let's get this party
started

Hot trumpet solo
finds his way up
through the mix
lets the groove fly
all bouncy and bright
his sidemen give him space
and he takes it

Drinks arrive
as the piano man
starts layin down
a solid
confident stride
riffin on that timeless melody
with some cozy
comfortable chords

Closing time's
still hours away
this club is packed to the walls
tempo changes
from breezy to brisk
and resistance
as they say
is futile

Details | Mark Dixon Poem

Closing Time

Face half hidden in darkness
half revealed by the deep blue spot
he speaks of love and moonlight
through the mouthpiece of the horn
past the valves
and out the gleaming bell

Piano player
sets up pretty dominoes
for the trumpet to softly knock down
he knows his way around
those ivory keys

Side man on skins
shuffles the deck
with steel brushes
marking off beats on a sheet
that ain't never been wrote

Bass man pulls the strings
pours his sad, sad life into the music
eyes closed
rocking gently then back
head nodding
to rest his chin
on each note

Deep breathy sax drips honey
in a minor key
round notes roll like train cars
on a midnight track
keeping time with the heartbeat
of the song
playing overtime
for a two dollar beer

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Jazz Spoken Here

Live jazz at midnight
soft
mellow stream of favorite grooves
upbeat
yet intimate
as jazz lovers
people lovers
touch fingertips across the table
napkins casually folded
coffee cups ignored
dishes gone

Small focused spotlights
of orange and red
conjure fire
from the ebony baby grand

Deep pulse of stand-up bass
sultry horns
wanderin' reeds
every solo turnin' heads
as each sideman takes up the slack
through the grey-blue smoke

Soft brushes on quiet drums
rich textures sparkling on piano
occasional tangy note
like a twist of orange peel
on a layered chocolate dessert

Sophisticated
elegant
spacewalkin' smooth
that warm blue tempo
leadin’ the way toward morning

Stella's gettin' her starlight on
tonight

Details | Mark Dixon Poem

Caravan At the Hilton

Effortless
lilting
lyrical
their chemistry builds
as the house lights dim
cool
laid back
relaxed
getting you in the mood
for anything

Alto sax sends out postcards
up and down the G blues scale
amber spots in the ceiling
light up lounge lizards
sipping signature cocktails
absorbing the atmosphere
on a stone gone classic night out

Drummer shuffles
feathering the kick drum
while comping on the snare
keeping his eyes on the waitress
he knows this beat
by heart