Mingus........

Mingus.

Mingus music waited in the string's

jump, dust sat down and prayed

for fingers, thumbs and hits.

Loose gone tight , tight gone loose

blue loops gave him the notes to play

wrapped around him like girls hips.

Dots like lost continents amongst the waves

drops of black and white paying dues to Africa,

Jesus! Even billy-clubs in the darkness worshiped.

After the booze the jazzed rage slid along

the hallelujah ropes , angel licking his soul ,

devil clipping his wings, man shining-up his shoes. Yet

the sounds sat it out , patiently waiting like death

until the storm before the calm poured down his gift,

Mingus music weighted in the string's.

John.G.Hall©2003

'Mingus' 

is available as a mini-book from Sacremento Free Press.

'Mingus' Won first prize in the Coffee House Poetry Competition 2004