hands gliding across the octaves
testing the notes
feeling for a familiar rhythm
white,
black,
white
oh, yes, that chord
You are the bassist
plucking the strings
with callused fingers
finding the funk and
pulling it out of your soul
That beat will do
You are the saxophonist
musing over
the mouthpiece
creating
a cascade
with the keys
here comes the riff
your take,
your vibe
You are the trumpet player
warming the horn
raising the bell
issuing a plaintive call
to the other parts of yourself
a signal to let the set begin.
--Karen Y., Adult