Chicago

Imagined in mind’s intense now or never

A birdsong thought become see saw ship thought,

Cries that are caught, old language come to naught,

Handclap thoughts law binds up, ocean severs:

That is mute saxophone startled to life

Again, timber instruments working waves,

Voices contained anger English of slaves,

Percussion raining down calm on strife.

I never want it to end this sound retelling

Of lost lives, forgotten names, water’s edge

Forced into presence, soon too to be ago

As the Art Ensemble of Chicago

Closes tried testimony up on stage,

Departs to ovations for silent dwelling.