SPARK

Amanda C. Brainerd
Response

Blues
By Charisse R. Cecil
Inspiration piece

My music, my mood.
Billie and Miles.
Melancholy and mellow.
The berries
in my morning muffin.
His bow-legged, boot-cut,
denim-clad swagger.
The funky-sweet blend
of sweat, liquor, tears and sex
in every foot tap on the juke joint floor.
The bruises that hide
behind Bronze Base #5.
Branford’s band and Spike’s “Mo’ Better.”
B.B. and Lucille.
The Franconia-Springfield metro line.
The steely eyes of young Minister Malcolm’s
devils.
Langston’s weary and big sea.
The Saturday night cabaret voice
Singing in the Sunday morning choir.
Sea -deep sorrow.
A saxophone’s moan.
My hopes,
caked on and cracking
like Aunt Minnesota’s
electric
sky
eye shadow.