On Hearing Dexter Gordon and Sam Rivers at Zellerbach

“Do you have any poems about jazz?” second-cousin Ruth e-mailed from Arkansas. She knew of an in-line magazine that had announced a “Special Music Issue.”

It so happens I had written a poem on jazz, over 40 years ago based on internal evidence. But by the time I found it, the deadline for submissions had passed.

“Is anyone dancing?” Ruth asked. “Dance” was the next special issue.

“Everyone stays seated,” I said.

But good old First of the Month didn’t mind. The editor did feel I was being unfair to Dexter Gordon, but I explained it was an off-the-moment impulse.

The link is below.

https://www.firstofthemonth.org/levin-speaks-of-rivers/