Jazz Water

by John Guchemand

Breaking forth, breakneck pace
Triangle tongue flag unfurls, reaches
out humming hands,
long-string-plucking fingers
Rotund deep-sea
hollow instrument brimming with voice

Two young faces, microphone lips
scat―ooh, ooh, oooh, deh.
Quiet screened mask
passed, one to the other
The placid-lake one ripples wide, unruly
shimmering like cymbal
Her rocking-body sister unmasked
shrank and shone―river moon

Stage right
cabled fingers jam jam, soft
sharp, easy
complimenting keys tugging
at rhythm
Dominant drums driving
barely balanced boat
Eyes locked, curtain to curtain
pianist after drummer
nose flared
I’m gonna get you―
Bang bang, bop, boom!