john coltrane in my mind, a war companion in my head

miles davis not far behind, it's the kind of blue that rhymes

a mixing that's complex and true: a rippling of the genes,

a resurrection of memory, a breaking of the heart

a saxophone screeches us apart, a wail, a scream,

blue-lightening flashing, it's more than a blue-tinged dream,

billie holiday, lady day, tears out my soul

blows me away. as you walk your  line,

your eyes fix on the other side, it's for your heart

you'll stay alive., after the solo is over

and the fans and the drugs have faded away

we must all leave the stage, just any old way,

we remember our mothers and our lovers in

every note we play and that will never fade away.