~
Holding court at the Zanzibar,
they looked on good nights
like Egyptian Queens, like Ancient Babylonians.

On not so good nights,
they resembled Brassaï's Moma Bijou -
"fugitives from Baudelaire's bad dreams",
and even then they looked magnificent.

Identity wasn't something you nailed
yourself into in late adolescence.
It was a trick of the light,
and if you were to avoid
burning yourself out,
then you simply let the flames
lick over you
and turned the ashes into kohl.
~

The large pipe *****

rumbles doom, heading for me --


with its air soldiers.

-I don’t wanna lose in this game
-I’d rather be close to you in your space
-It’s your ball, the score is 7 to 8
-Check-up, game-point, let’s get after it bae

-Even though we’re battling, I’ll only battle with you
-We can play all night, till it’s morning light with you
-Guard you tight with all my might, I’ll take the challenge with you
-So even though we’re battling, I’ll only battle with you

-You better use all your tricks and your tools, this game here I’m not about to lose,
You know I’ll battle with ya

-We can finish this game playing R&B tunes,
head home to make love afterwards boo,
You know I’ll battle with ya

-You always have something to prove,
that’s what I’ve always loved about you,
You know I’ll battle with ya

A very low tone

fills the corners of the hall --


the ***** sings Om.

The music we used to listen to together
The music we listened to that made us happy
The music that made us think of each other
The music that was going to play at our wedding
That music takes a whole new meaning now.

Polyrhythms & sunny synths
rippling across the surface
of a blue lagoon as we are guided
to ascend by an enlightened
soul with the force of a typhoon.

Tinkling melodies & shining stars
gracing through the galaxies
within our hearts, pacing
in circles as it all continues
to lovingly fall apart.

Good vibes & joyous moments
take us all on a mystical journey
through the folds of time
as we flow through the waters
of golden beaches so divine.

What wonderful luck to be alive,
coexisting with the beauty
of a land touched by starlight.
An uplifting sea of memories
surfaces as nostalgia subtly sways
through the summer leaves,
floating upon a gentle breeze
giving way to an easy night.

She played music -
music you’d leave your windows open for.
She rolled into rooms you’d forgotten
and soaked into your cellar until your childhood
floated right up to today and stayed for your tomorrows.

She was like that – building new foundations,
or maybe bridges
between now and then,
leaving pathways your feet could find even
once the last note has finished for the day.

She made music that stayed and stained,
leaving her trace, so you could find her again,
like when you returned from years away.
She had an authentic taste, softly unique
and hard to forget.

I remember one song that ran high,
almost out of reach,
then reaching down into my outstretched eyes,
filling them to overflowing and blurring
the pain for a while.

She played music -
music you’d leave both eyes open for.

Taste the rain falling
   I'm standing under the tree
   That's music playing