Blue
Train
To John Coltrane
I heard your blue train traveling by, coolly
As fresh waters of a brook...a cloudless aquamarine
sky
Rhythmic, not marching but a shuffle or a two-step,
Syncopated...bass, undulating river;
Cymbals, soft rain, silver pom-poms shaking;
Saxophone, lead, a composer ad hoc
Declaring a theme one way then another;
Counterpoint, trumpet, sharp, blending;
Piano, lively, solo, answering, dueling with the
brass;
Saxophone, brightly, opening doors, closing them,
Mixing it up...wheels slowing, whistle blowing;
Dodging, weaving, a boxer, in and out...drums.
 |
| Blue train, South Africa |
Photo Courtesy of 2010 World Cup - Shine 2010
ReplyDeletePhoto link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_Blue_Train.jpg
Gonzalinho
Long version of this poem:
ReplyDeleteBLUE TRAIN
To John Coltrane
I listened to your blue train sauntering by...
Rhythmic, not marching but the two-step
Of a bird in a courtship dance, switching feet...
Coolly, fresh waters of a brook...cloudless cobalt blue sky...
Curling stone sliding, deep diver gliding...
Bass, low rumble of savannah elephants;
Cymbals, soft rain, silver pom-poms;
Saxophone, lead, flashing a deck of cards;
Trumpet, sharp, blending harmonies;
Piano, lively, dueling with the brass;
Saxophone, once more, announcing a theme one way,
Declaring it another, opening, closing doors...
Approaching the station...wheels slowing, whistle blowing...
Weaving in and out, a boxer feints, dodges, scores—drums.
Gonzalinho
Blue Train by John Coltrane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI
ReplyDeleteGonzalinho