**harlem Blues! Poem by RAJ NANDY
**harlem Blues!
HARLEM BLUES!
Lingering perfumes float through the night air,
Life was a drudgery for him and no one cared!
With neon lights blinking and flashing every-
where!
The jazz band in the saloon played a soft tune,
And the lady there sang the blues and also
crooned!
Now the solitude of the night gets to him,
As he drops down into a corner seat where lights
are rather dim!
Signals the waiter as he lights his cigar,
And orders a large whiskey and soda, having
come down so far!
He remains enthralled by the lone singer’s
voice,
He must spend this ‘blue night’ all alone, -
since he had no other choice!
The singer now comes pretty close to him,
And he could see her white teeth dazzle and
gleam!
But when he looked into those dark eye lashes, -
Sad memories from the past before his eyes
flashes!
He had been a clarinet player of some renown,
But his wife couldn’t tolerate its piping sound!
His habit of playing the pipe at mid-night hours,
Made her to desert him for their marriage had
gone sour!
The 'blue notes' in the saloon soon comes to an
end,
But the music goes on simply to entertain!
The singer now invites this loner to her room,
He accompanies - trying to forget his loneliness
and gloom!
She pours out two drinks in her upstairs room,
And places his head gently between her bosom, -
Which makes him to swoon!
The ‘blue notes’ still plays on in his mind,
It is then when she pulls out a clarinet from
behind!
Seeing him surprised - she laughs out loud;
He stares at the clarinet with misgiving and doubt!
“Don’t worry darling I had met you wife,
She had shown me your picture and told me about
your life!
From my childhood days I had loved the clarinet,
It turns me on before I go to bed!
So play the pipe gently as I get into my slip-on,
And we shall make love right into the morn! ”
He picked up the clarinet and played it so
tender and so light, -
The music echoed through the Harlem night!
- Raj Nandy
25 Jul 09
New Delhi
(WHILE READING THE HISTORY OF JAZZ FOR WRITING
MY - ‘THE STORY OF JAZZ MUSIC: PART II’-, I THOUGHT
OF WRITING THIS IN A LIGHTER VEIN FOR YOU!)
WOW this is an amazing composition...nice rhyme and rhythm so soft and you have painted a nice mood here...well implied piece! ! ! ♥ ♥ 10 ♥ ♥
A love of music story, all told in verse which is enchanting. Music is the universal language of the world and the character in your story had music deep down in his soul. I loved the ending. Karin Anderson
JAZZ MAN, I could hear the soft flows and blows of deep base inside my chest as I read through this spectacular piece....you sat me in a smoke filled club and dazzled me with rhymes that touch the soul my man.....well penned 10+++++
Hi Raj - lovely Poem full of pathos and passion just the right blend for a love poem. I was sad at the beginning but pleased that the 'Old Liquorish Stick'scored in the end. New York New York is the most amazing city in the world -all human life is there - there is only one Harlem and if we 'Whites' are prepared to blend in - we get excepted especially when we are older and spennd a few bucks - they don't like 'gawpers' so you have to mingle.V 1 PATHOS Exemplifies the lonliness of the long distance player. My eldest Grandaughter is a virtuoso clarinetist. At the end of verse one - one sees the price performers play for their art. V 2 PASSION. Just when it seemd like his night was going to be lonely 'Lady Luck' steps in and turns a mornful night into 'A Night to Remember'. that is magic of Hralem.. For every reason in my Poetry Manual - i score it a MAX. I was raised in Liverpool and we have Music in our veins instead of Blood! Yours in Poetry - JOHN
When you feel blue, go to Harlem.The midnight hour will redeem all your blues away.
Raj, I followed your poem tale, from one word to the next I read entranced, I could feel the music of the blues, smell the smokey bar, the picture you drew was so vivid. As a lover of jazz and blues, it brought back memories of good nights out listening to what i used to think of as the music of the night. Thank you for the memory and also this lovely story. Regards Bob
great composition. all your poems written in lighter vein are tinged with a bit of sadness. you transported me to that world with your excellent narrative.10+++ Mamta
a poem expressing nights so blue..music inspires the life of this poem...it also insoires the life of the subject..
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/24/2024 4:20:24 PM # 1.0.0.1119
tender and a flow like a light music in the air......... herlem blues really a great work with care............