tough timings in shout-scored darkness
fast-fingered filigrees scythed by slides
weaving through one-steps
feverish lurches from mourning to light
hardness of diamonds in the smile
lootings of quadrilles and cakewalks
army-surplus melodies and metal
sticks and stones at territory edge
predatory judgments of eye and muscle
backyard feasts while bedsteads bounce
pressure, heat, vigour, blood-blind furies
scratch band tapestries of lust
fruit salad ensemble sculptures
chinatown visions of turtle heart magic
jane-bait bulb-light shoes and stetsons
all-night matriculations
tenderloin professorships
learning hard, playing for keeps.
© Paul Taylor 2000
This poem is included in the trombone poetry album, for the record.
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