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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DEXTER GORDON: COPENHAGEN/AVERY FISHER HALL, by KAREN SWENSON Poet's Biography
First Line: Last time I listened I turned thirty-six
Last Line: Leaving nothing left to play.
Subject(s): Gordon, Dexter (1923-1990); Memory; Music & Musicians; Saxophones
First Line: Last time I listened I turned thirty-six
Last Line: Leaving nothing left to play.
Subject(s): Gordon, Dexter (1923-1990); Memory; Music & Musicians; Saxophones
Last time I listened I turned thirty-six
in Copenhagen celebrating among
beer steins and students. Your notes
capered strata of cirrus smoke
until the last one planed across the room.
You shook the spit out and walked past
her self-composed design of longing.
She glowed, an apple tree blossoming in moonlight,
as if globes of notes had bubbled into her
a yearning for you, your noise,
that burble of husky bumblebees.
You smiled and passed.
This time at fifty from the balcony
I watch you making bees in your gold meerschaum,
that generosity of sound
which she'd have mistaken into possession
wanting what was already freely given,
the love making, your sax
leaving nothing left to play.
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