In honor of both Jazz Appreciation Month and National Poetry Month, we are delighted to share the works of local poets and musicians. The relationship between jazz and poetry is long, deep, and ongoing. Jazz poetry has always been a voice of racial consciousness, holding and rejoicing in Black heritage, and creative expression.
Community Corner is a series that invites the public to contribute their thoughts, reflections, observations, and more about the world around us, particularly as it relates to jazz and music overall. Earshot Jazz is dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of artists and community members alike. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this series are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Earshot Jazz. Please email submissions to editor@earshot.org.
“thelonious monk wakes up from his dream”
BY ALAN CHONG LAU
first, let’s
check the map
and get oriented
we’re 20,000 miles
from cairo
a stone’s throw
from rocky mount, north carolina
a zillion kilometers
from timbuktu
and one block
away from san juan hill
coming off
the hudson
we’re washed up
on a blue world
that turns on its own orbit
with clocks set
to different time signatures
what makes
monk get up
and dance?
well, maybe, just maybe
that’s the wrong question
perhaps it’s more
like walking
in a trance
along the borders
of your own dream
following the pertinent arrows
and charlie rouse
is just your
trusted lookout
your sentinel
sounding the alarm
that something’s burning through
the swirling clouds
to stir you
out of your
deepest slumber
“Jazz Haiku For Q
(Thank You Quincy Jones)”
BY SUSAN YANAGIHARA
Dad remembered you,
late to class at Garfield High,
jammed the night before.
“Jazzin’ ‘Em First”
BY SIBYL JAMES
jazzman blow
so easy.
sax man
don’t give ‘em the hands
thrown up on brick
cop fingers
friskin’ thigh
and rib.
don’t blow down the river,
a tug horn
cut through dirty ice
and red dresses
that ain’t had nothin’
but more red dresses
“Poetry, music and Bread”
-for Daniel Thompson*
BY PERCY HILO
Each poem a child
conceived in love
delivered through labor
clothed in a lusty jazzy tenor sax,
an artist’s gift to the planet.
Instruments of compassion
to feed the mind
tenderize the heart
enlarge the spirit
facilitate right action.
Each loaf of day old bread
conceived for sale
left aging on the shelf
delivered with LOVE
to the forgotten who hunger.
Instruments of compassion
to feed the body
alleviate wounded souls
allow for them one more day!
Traveling cold streets of Cleveland
broken body in baggy pants
long Gray beard under wise
old worn and weary eyes.
The visionary
delivering the food in art
and the love in food
in the form of bread
sprinkled with poetic visions
of a compassionate society
and wrapped in the spirit
of warmth and heart felt
jazzy exploration.
Poetry, music and bread
staples of our diet
blood in our daily stream
working dream of tomorrow.
The vision remains alive.
The path is lit
The children will walk unafraid
and create the future from
the nourishing tools of
Poetry, music and bread.
*This poem is for Daniel Thompson; a poet who enjoyed reading to a jazz background and practiced much activism including delivering donated food to the homeless in Cleveland, all for over 40 years.
