JOHNMICHAEL SIMON POETRY

Duet in the Bar

They were a syncopated couple

off-beat to the nth, yet zingy

like cider and limburger

sipped and munched

on twin rhinestone barstools

seats warmed by the greats

Louis, Charlie, Theolonius

and the Duke himself

all tapping their feet

swilling it down sip by gulp

bar by bar, grinning, eyes agleam

as drinks forgotten

hands clapping

their followers from night to jazzy night

demanded yet another throaty encore

till even the lazy cigarette smoke

danced drifting off-beat rhythms in the air

© Johnmichael Simon

2005

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