I’ve always liked these exposed filament lights
hanging at random heights and space at Amelia’s
boldly here in Am’s front window — for all to see
reminded me of the diversity of her customers
each reasonably transparent with our agendas
each brightly afire with a burning love of jazz
she says it makes the place warm and friendly
their off-white glow, leaning a bit to golden
casts a comfortable friendly ambiance — welcoming
the conversation hovers in trend-topical bursts
hot yet quietly — controlled to a respectful degree
the jazz is cool, but crisp with an edge of freedom
we sizzle mellow, trippin’ on brilliant blistered riffs
no matter the season, the burn of the ringin’ bellhorns
keep us hypnotized and synchronized — snap-ap-ap’n
Amelia’s is a tuesday night paradise — angels a’plenty
and a dolla’ getcha a three-side of Am’s miracle ribs
smoke, sauce, ‘n slaw — nuff ta make a heathen love jesus
we, the helplessly hopeless menagerie of jazz junkies
dig the vibe that goes down every buck’a’shot tuesday
and these cats can play — keeps these hang-bulbs rattlin’
Amelia’s is tuesday night church, and the hip souls worship
I shake/swear/stomp/sweat — then leave sanctified in joy
these random bulbs in Amelia’s window know all my sins
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: Earthweal
Coloured lights and good music – it doesnt get much better!
Yes Sherry, a thing of magic!
Oh Rob you have out done yourself! This capturing of the image is glorious and wonderful!
Music always does move the soul! I love it and the ending is lovely! Wishing you a safe and healthy 2021!
Thank you Carrie… 🙂
Love the atmosphere this poem conjures, it reads like jazz and lights warming the soul.
Thank you Margaly. I love jazz! I wrote this inspired by a place I used to frequent. Different name, same vibe.
…and across the land in a thousand Amelia’s, the customers throng for jazz and ribs, conversation and romance, Tuesday nights to reach out and touch someone. Been there, done that, want to go again!!! Thanks for the trip, Rob.
You are most welcome Bev… 🙂
This is a welcome night out! Love the way the lines dance.
Thank you Chrissa! 🙂
Hands down, the place I want to be! Jazz flute sends me into another orbit, add a sax ~~~~~ woweeeeee.
Happy New Year Rob.
Happy new year Helen!
Happy New Year Rob !
Thank you Rall! 🙂
What a splendid journey you have taken us on!
Just a nice bit of jazz and ribs — glad you enjoyed it Linda.
Sounds like a perfect spot. Jazz, food, lights – what else could one need.
To actually be able to go inside to enjoy with the pandemic under control. 🙂
Oh, I miss going out to small places to enjoy music and poetry. Before the pandemic I did a bit of open mic. It was such fun in this small pub downtown. One night, I went and there was a bluegrass band playing in the main bar area. We usually performed our poetry in the backroom. Well, that night there was an event in the backroom. So, they told us we could use the stage in between the band’s sets. OMG, I thought how am I going to do this, the bar was packed. My name was announced and I somehow found my way to to the stage. One of the band members said do you want me to pick along. I thought oh what the hell, this was a new game. So, there I was under the lights. I started reading my poem to the beat of bluegrass. lol…the bar grew quiet I, somehow, had caught their attention. It is a night I will always remember. I guess your poem
stirred a not so long ago memory. Hopefully, open mics will happen again this year. One of the guys in the band said ” did you ever consider songwriting”. I laughed, replying “all the time.”
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2021!
Maybe the guy had a good point True. I wrote lyrics for many years with my bands. We did mostly original material. You should give it a try. Find a musician friend and do it for a lark. You may love it — I certainly did. Happy & Healthy New Year to you also my friend!
Sounds like some place!
The real deal Ingrid, where the mind and soul can stretch out and decompress.
I remember digs like that — cool place and a fine praise of the vibe.
Thanks Brendan.
It sounds like such an amazing place, filling the soul with music and good vibes. I LOVE coloured lights. The best part of Chistmas to me.
Amelia’s is an amalgam of every wonderful small jazz joints I ever enjoyed in my life — and there have been many. Besides my larger band, when we weren’t booked, I sang for many years, when I was available, with with a jazz trio (piano, upright bass, drums) that played these small clubs. They were called the Bright Light Big City Trio. Loved the change of pace. Loved the change of dynamics in the small group. The pianist, whose trio it was, was a friend of mine.