(x = space)

x

x

A Jazz Singer

(for Paul)

x

The jazz singer

Being Jewish in a

Family

x

Wanting to be famous

Have a talent

To be

Tested

And a wish to be excused

From doctrinaire

Behaviors

While accepted

For the seder

Or when showing up

As the schedule

In being famous

Might allow

x

A public

Served

Entertained

Inspired

Is that enough

Is that acceptable

Against

Acceptable

Through generations

x

And the ones

Unprodigal

Who keep it all

And might remember

Those

Who do return

x

Remember whom

The empty chair

Is for

And would

In turn

Be welcoming

From the prophet

Of the one

Who reconfigures things

To save

With pleasure

Inside notes and rhythms

For a larger

Needful

World

x

So keep the second chair

Upon

Returning

Leant against the wall

And ready

x

C L Couch

x

x

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

x