HARLEM BLUES Lingering perfumes float through the night air, Life was a drudgery for him and no one cared! With neon lights blinking and flashing every- where! The jazz band in the saloon played a soft tune, And the lady there sang the Blues and also crooned! Now the solitude of the night gets to him, As he drops down into a corner seat where lights are rather dim! Signals the waiter as he lights his cigar, And orders a large whiskey and soda, having come down so far! He remains enthralled by the lone singer’s voice, He must spend this ‘blue night’ all alone, - since he had no other choice! The singer now comes pretty close to him, And he could see her white teeth dazzle and gleam! But when he looked into those dark eye lashes, - Sad memories from the past before his eyes flashes!
He had been a clarinet player of some renown, But his wife couldn’t tolerate its piping sound! His habit of playing the pipe at mid-night hours, Made her to desert him for their marriage had gone sour! The 'blue notes' in the saloon soon comes to an end, But the music goes on simply to entertain! The singer now invites this loner to her room, He accompanies - trying to forget his loneliness and gloom! She pours out two drinks in her upstairs room, And places his head gently between her *****, - Which makes him to swoon! The ‘blue notes’ still plays on in his mind, It is then when she pulls out a clarinet from behind! Seeing him surprised - she laughs out loud; He stares at the clarinet with misgiving and doubt! “Don’t worry darling I had met you wife, She had shown me your picture and told me about your life! From my childhood days I had loved the clarinet, It turns me on before I go to bed! So play the pipe gently as I get into my slip-on, And we shall make love right into the morn! ” He picked up the clarinet and played it so tender and so light, - The music echoed through the lonely Harlem night! -By Raj Nandy, New Delhi.
(While reading up the History of Jazz for composing my Jazz Story Part Two, I received an inspiration for writing this fictional poem for you! For reading thank you!)