Some favourite passages:


If only I'd read

the moss on the tree!
instead of shaking

it for fruit--


from "Cakewalk"



You burn meat both ends, send
the geese bumpingwithin my skin.
end of "Jitterbug"

Your bordeaux dress
uncorked, let'sbreathe awhile
from "Boogaloo"

...your noisy
nudity--O the brass of your body!
sliding, trombone-style....
from "Break"

O the far-flungmorning, a moon
still among it!
from "Calypso"

Lady, you are my Mobile,Alabama--lowdown & too hot
for human habitat--
opening of "Ramble"

Drive until sun staresme down. Radio & the cicadas
with their static wings--I am singing
to myself again.
opening of "Saxophone Solo"

Tonight even the storm
cannot calm me.
from "Slide Guitar"

Outside azaleas bloom loud& red like ambulances
rushing to save someoneor at least try.
*
Lights out--we navigate
the colding house,feel for matchbooks
which you saveto bring light, I
to remember whereI been.
*
Ice turns eventhe trees heavy
& helpless, allmorning falling--
a song of breaking--winter & plunder.
from "Pastorale"

...take down
the tarnished stars, my breathwill shine them up new. 
from "Cotillion"



In the UK, you can buy Jelly Roll from Abe Books here.