Al Jarreau

I was sad to learn about Al Jarreau today. He gave one of the most astounding, heartfelt performances I have ever seen to a small auditorium in Iowa City. We were over-flooded by his love, gentleness and talent. That night I went home and wrote a short poem trying, failingly to capture how I felt:

Al Jarreau can walk on air,

really,

Can tap dance without his feet

touching ground

With a ba-sca-dada-dada-dadat

He’s real serious too —

though he don’t pretend to be

Al Jarreau breathes the same air

as you

But he’s the Sax, the

Clarinet / Bass / Piano

Maracas-scat-da-dats

at you

Exhales love to you

And thanks you

thanks you

thank you

September 21, 2001, Iowa City