Poetry Dispatch No. 322 | June 2, 2010
JACKIE LANGETIEG
Jazz *
I don’t want to go to Chet Baker’s house
Let him come to me, lean his back against
the scene of ancient Chinese mountains in my living room
Let me serve him Metaxa brandy in a water glass
Don’t let the smoke leave the room—nothing should fly out
on the wings of notes coming from his horn, his voice, his hands
words left hanging on black clefs of minor chords
I’m loose on the sofa, robe slightly open hoping he’ll notice
baby grand ready for the touch of his fingers
like the counting of my ribs, each finger placed surely
on the steps of my spine
I feel his concentration on the music
I’m just a body temporarily in his way for tonight
The old serrated trees on the panel behind me sway
and fantasy fills my head. The music trails off and he joins me
We speak little, lie to each other, talk of insignificances
Soon dawn is opening the curtains of night and he drives off leaving
me lost in the smoky night music still at play in the room.
Editor’s Note: * First publication of this poem
About the Author: Jackie Langetieg, Verona, Wisconsin, is the author of three books of poetry and has been published in journals and anthologies, most recently in “Love Over 60: an anthology of women’s poems,” edited by R. Chapman and J. McCormick and published by Mayapple Press.
poetry dispatch & other notes from the underground 
This poem rocks! Thanks for sharing; Jackie is such a strong poet and getting stronger by the second. Wowza.
Jackie,
This poem sent shivers down my spine. I know a poem is good when it does that for me. No critique could do it justice. The emotion and depth are clear.
(Cathryn said it well).
Gary
Wow! Smokin’ poem! Jackie, you are the best…and thanks, Norb
for putting it out there.
Fabulous!
Many thanks!
Wowee, Jackie. This one’s smoking, evocative, loaded, and all done
with exquisite mastery. Congratulations!
Spot-on erotic … brings to mind my old favorite of yours > remember the “man with the smokey hair”? How ’bout reading some of these at The Clearing, HEY? Luscious ~~~~
Lady, this is poetry for people who are not wearing the handcuffs of academia… but that’s also fine…just that some of us need to walk the real life streets, not only the boulevards.
QUICK QUICK!!!! I am suddenly in need of Chet Baker!
How can a poem do that to me!!!!!!!!
It is wonderful! More more..
Thank you all for your kind words; especially thanks to Norb for putting the poem out for viewing.