The Sound of Jazz

The Sound of Jazz 

"You couldn't yet read or write," the angel 

     says. "So I fastened a hoop of gold 

around your neck to record your prayers." 

Someone else tells Lady's story, steals 

her voice, her phrases, listens to applause, 

beckons her 'family' to come near 

for awards. 

                       The feed breaks into four, 

five, then seven screens all broadcasting 

her image—, Smile for them, sing as though 

     their hearts lie around you like river 

rocks you could stumble over, throbbing. 

     Lester's riffs really hit, then Hentoff, 

in the control room, hears— "Love will make 

     you do things that you know is wrong."