Jazz

An experience.

Notes, like smoke,

Billow from the brass tongue

That glints the reds, the purples

Of the stage.

His shroud of mist

Is speared through with

A spot light

That illuminates only the

Music dancing from

His fingers,

His lips.

Glancing upwards,

He allows a brief glimpse

Of his soul;

In an instant, however,

He returns to his aura of

Mist, of mystery.

The sharp shatter of cymbals

In a crescendo--

The slow, brassy drawl

That melts conversation

Like a stray snowflake.

Unanticipated silence--

Followed by a splash,

A trickle,

Of applause.

As human as you or I,

He exits,

His golden instrument a mere

Extension of another life,

Another man.

Author's Note

Musicians..are bomb.

After reading some reviews on this, it makes me SO happy that everyone thought I was describing a different instrument--the one that they played. xD

Reviews

[BlueberryKisses]

I really enjoyed reading this :) The way you described everything through out this poem made it amazing to read, thank you for sharing this poem with us to read. Great write!

[FJ Davis]

This is extremely "hip" and searingly perceptive, Ben. Am impressed by it all, but most enjoyed the metamorphosis referenced at the end. ("He allows a brief glimpse of his soul" isn't bad, either.)
While I play no musical instruments--unless, perhaps, one considers The Blarney Stone a musical instrument--it seems to me that this guy was yakking on a sax.
Outstanding work, Mr. Taylor!

[Poeticadia]

Smooth and sensual jazz tones. The musician who lifts himself above his surroundings, and his everyday life, inside the music... and takes the small audience with him. Exquisitely composed!

[poetry-kiddo alienbaba]

wow!
We had a trombone player too in our band,
glad to know you are a jazz musician and i like the way you write.

[Blue Moon Ice Cream]

You set the scene really well. I could imagine a musician playing a trumpet and hear the music in my head.

[Judy Ponceby]

Awesome!! One of my very favorite things about reading is how an author describes how things sound. You have done this beautifully.

I especially love this:
The slow, brassy drawl
That melts conversation
Like a stray snowflake.

I can see your musician and hear him playing some soulful Jazz. Remarkable work Ben! :)

[GlamGirl]

Beautiful piece! I play jazz on my saxophone, and I love it. It is so much different from regular Concert Band.
Great write!