Rita Dove's Canary for National Poetry / Jazz Appreciation Month

April is not only National Poetry Month here in the US, it's also Jazz Awareness Month, which prompted me to look up jazz poetry.

You can watch the poet recite this poem here.
Canary by Rita Dove

Billie Holiday's burned voice
had as many shawdows as lights,
a mournful candelabra against a sleek piano,
the gardenia her signature under that ruined face.

(Now you're cooking drummer to bass,
magic spoon, magic needle.
Take all day if you have to
with your mirror and your bracelet of song.)

Fact is, the invention of women under siege
has been to sharpen love in the service of myth.

If you can't be free, be a mystery.

Dory Previn's Stone For Bessie Smith for National Poetry / Jazz Appreciation Month

for diebirchen, who recommended Bessie Smith to me...

Dory Previn - A Stone For Bessie Smith
from the album "Mythical Kings and Iguanas" (Mediarts Records, 1971)

( A Stone For Bessie Smith )