The moon is a reflection in the eyes of night people. A silver casting from above draws over dark ground, forming gray shadows on the leeward side of standing objects. A flat moon face gazes into our small space where we huddle, looking up, wondering the distance and how to get back. … More REFLECTION
AT NIGHT Shadows intent on magic sway on plaster walls as dancing gray images surrender to kingdoms of jazz. Horns with finger tapping and pushing tempt valves to sing on streets of gold where Gabriel’s heart frowns jealous, of the cool hots below. The jazz continues with a rush … More AT NIGHT
MOVING BEYOND His hands were soft, unused. Heavy labor failed with him. His eyes were volumes of quiet words. There was a presence of confidence, though slight like random breezes. His shirt was weather thinned. Shoes labored with dirt from long roads. His hat was faded by the suns attack. He half smiled, agreeing not … More MOVING BEYOND
He’s a cat with fight, a tin pan scratcher, a voice clawing to the top of his jazz. He was talked out. His fingers coaxed the horn onto alive where it throbbed like a wound or a hand shaking for whiskey. Water fires of applause waved up. Sweaty … More SLEEPY ALLEYS
Songs of subways overhead press out the language of day as they weave, screeching the overload in corners, releasing sparks while heads inside sway without control. Shadow art on the pavement below scripts across cars and people, into alleys then splashes jaggedly onto store fronts. The aroma of diesel fuel, creosol, standing water, barrooms, exhaust … More MOSTLY IGNORED
There are visions of highway men late at night. Cars slow, looking about. Weary travelers without planning. Sounds increase past midnight, raising caution and suspicion. Ragged freight trains punch pull through town. Dogs sleep off day with restless legs and twitching ears, chasing spirit cats in dreams. A church bell runs out three. Thieves fail … More LATE, VERY LATE
CONSTANT FORCES Treasures uncovered, delights hidden, musicians in motion, gates and shadows, unwelcome guests, changing tides, angels without wings, heaven understanding, rain and mud, wandering shoes, bouquets welcome, youth rejects fear, a jewel covered, crestfallen heroes, tomorrow becomes history. secrets of death, roads without shoulders, curves with weight, the yeast of gold, unwilling words, Kerouac’s … More CONSTANT FORCES
Bronzed hands and neck. Field workers at 5am. The sun cuts sharp. Tractors crawl, knives slice. Work hard breathing. Sweat equals blood. No one speaks. A cloudless sky. Baskets stacked and leaning. Water passed around. No breeze. Distant highway traffic. Boots crossing rows. Busy hands. Two shirts. Golden rich soil. Geometric plant rows. Water machines … More FIELD HANDS
JAZZY EYES Smoke gets chased by running air pulsing like storms from horns end. Fast fingers hungrily push willing tabs finding sound with depth just fine. Blue shades cover cool jazzy eyes thinking full with thoughts driven hard.
A house of mirrors. Canals of images. Twisted shapes of nightmare size. Legs without bodies. Heads without feet. Some pose, others see the enemy of themselves. Everyone is in obedience to moving along. Step carefully. Someone screams and then another. Laughter startles the air. Lights flash up. A nervous voice sings out. Some linger. People … More CARNIVAL NIGHT
Roger Singer 