Writer’s Island asked for a poem about Triumph. Can’t think of anything more triumphant than a great gig with the right crowd and my voice in good shape…! Click on the link and check out the comments section to read other takes on the prompt! Amy
JAZZ AFIRE
Spotlight’s hot tonight
Fresh coffee on the side table
My fingers touch the cool ivories
and all hell breaks loose
Thumping the bass line
Reaching deep, drawing out
the raw fire of jazz within
Souls of legends aflame as I call to them:
Feed my soul, strike the match
Light a fire under my piano bench
til I burn with desire to shout it true
Til the keys melt at my touch
Hellzapoppin at this piano bar
Crowd heats up and calls for more
Coffee’s cold, neglected
but I’m a pyre of pure jazz afire
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
Attagirl. That’s what I call a triumph!
ViV
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Viv. Sometimes I truly miss that career in jazz. My jazz site, if you want a free “listen,” is HERE.
gospelwriter
I do love jazz… a lovely piece and a triumph indeed.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, hon – I really enjoyed writing this piece and submitting something at Writer’s Island, because it had been awhile. Posting to prompts will be sporadic until Feb, when our move to Madison is complete!
Merry Christmas! Amy
brenda w
This is wonderful, Amy! The rhythm rolls off with a bebop do wah, and makes me want to move. It surely makes me want more. You created a visual for jazz, which creates visuals of its own. Music moves the masses. It’s heartening to know you play in old folks’ homes. Go girl!
~Brenda
Sharp Little Pencil
Gee, Brenda, I’m blushing! You definitely have a musical soul as well, I can tell that from your comment. And yes, good jazz (as with classical, world, Celtic, practically any genre played well) does give great visuals. I was very happy the music connected in poetic form.
One of my best friends ends her emails, “…and make music whenever you can!” To that I say, AMEN! Playing for seniors is great because I play their stuff – the music of The Greatest Generation. It’s the music that truly speaks to me. See you soon on your blog! Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I came on here to say I so wish I could hear you play like that – there’s nothing I love better than live music when the musician is so into it that their fingers catch fire on the keys – then I saw you left a link – but it says “link not found”………will search another day. Wonderful to be able to set your music free like that and have the audience really feeling it. Awesome. Great poem, too, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry! As with Debbie, I realize the link doesn’t work, so cut and paste into your browswer:
http://www.amybarlowliberatore.com
In the top left corner of the home page, there is a free listen!
I used to love gigging, but finally, after 30 years, I contracted a condition from secondhand smoke. By the time smokefree leg. got passed in NYS, I was out of the club scene, but now moving to Madison, I hope to do the best of both – and occasional jazz gig, plus reading my poetry! C’mon, February! Peace, Amy
Debbie
I would love to hear you! That was a fired up poem, a triumph indeed. I clicked the HERE above, but got nothing! Take care and thanks for jazzing up my life!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. I realize now that links don’t work the way I want them to. So cut and paste into your browser window:
http://www.amybarlowliberatore.com
Appreciate the support! Have a Merry Christmas, D. Peace, Amy
Deborah
Brilliant…I wish I was there!
Sharp Little Pencil
Glad I don’t go it six nights a week anymore, but man, there is nothing like the feeling of time, place, and music all coming together. It’s magical! Thanks, Deborah!
RJ
A fiery triumph to be sure. I love the jazzy take on the prompt, especially the contrast of cold coffee to piano keys melting at your touch.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ha ha, my coffee always got cold because I’d forget to drink it, I was so into the music! Thanks for stopping by – I will do the same at your blog! Peace, Amy
pamela
Amy,
Your love of music is evident in this piece.
Nice! Good luck with the move and have a
wonderful holiday.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for the compliment, Pamelita! Yes, I’ve been “performing live since I was 5,” believe it or not. Which would make you think that reading my work aloud in public would be a cinch, but it’s not!
Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas, Solstice, hey, whatever you celebrate – light the candles and brew some Mexican hot chocolate! Amy