Blue Train
To John Coltrane

I heard your blue train traveling by, coolly
As fresh waters of a brook…a cloudless aquamarine sky…
Rhythmic, not marching but a shuffle or a two-step,
Syncopated…bass, undulating river;
Cymbals, soft rain, silver pom-poms shaking;
Saxophone, lead, a composer ad hoc
Declaring a theme one way then another;
Counterpoint, trumpet, sharp, blending;
Piano, lively, solo, answering, dueling with the brass;
Saxophone, brightly, opening doors, closing them,
Mixing it up…wheels slowing, whistle blowing;
Dodging, weaving, a boxer, in and out…drums.