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Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Sinatra, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes August with a solemn poem punctuated by the bass of Stefan Redtenbacher.
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August, 2025
“August Blues”
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photo via Picryl
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August Blues
The air is humid from Redtenbacher’s bass. I ignore one layer of sweat upon my skin becoming salt crystals for mosquitoes at mid-day. An invisible cobweb through the woods off the trail veils my face. I pull away at the mesh. I’m an edible black bride. My sweetheart tells me he’s dying when his heart pounds at night, soothed by the upright bass. I suspect his mind is full of imaginary things and the regrets of not having taken risks. The heart surgeon found nothing wrong. It’s a mystery—a beautiful white horse fidgeting next to me in bed. I stroke his silky mane. On my walk, I look up to a sky with grey clouds clustered, whispering August rain. It has poured every day and I walk quietly in it. My life depends now on orange zinnias planted in a teal ceramic pot, catching my sight on someone’s porch. My heart pounds like my sweetheart full of imaginary things. If I can be silent enough, I can recognize them as shadows, then roam my gaze on those little caves in fallen birch becoming wells, collecting water in August.
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Listen to Jerrice J. Baptiste read her poem
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Listen to the 2020 recording of Redtenbacher’s Funkestra perform “August Blues” [Virgin Music Group]
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Click to view any of the poems Jerrice wrote for each month.
Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec/Intro
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Jerrice J. Baptiste is a poet and author of nine books, Her most recent poetry book Coral in The Diaspora is published by Abode Press (August 2024). She’s been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize (2024 & 2025), and Best of the Net in 2022. Jerrice‘s poems and collaborative songwriting are featured on the Grammy nominated album Many Hands Family Music for Haiti.
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Click for:
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
“Saharan Blues on the Seine,” Aishatu Ado’s winning story in the 68th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician
Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction
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Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)
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Thank you, I love the dream like images here, the horse with the white mane and the black bride.
Thanks for your kind words Cristina regarding the imagery in my poem! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine! Happy August!
Joy, Jerrice
Thanks for your kind words Cristina regarding the imagery in my poem! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine! Wonderful. Happy August!
Joy, Jerrice
This poem is so beautiful, Jerrice: “salt crystals for mosquitoes; cobweb….veil my face…I’m an edible bride…the heart surgeon found nothing wrong…” and on and on. Really good work. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it. Thank you as always–
Thanks so much Fran! I appreciate the close attention you paid to the imagery;
Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
This is beautiful. I like the call back about the pounding heart and imaginary things. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Al for your appreciation of the details in my poem. Grateful for your words!
Joy
Jerrice
As always Jerrice’s poem is filled with amazing imagery. She depicts her moment to moment intensity within the scope of the natural world. Her insights touch on poignant human themes and in their telling reduce fear and bring forth strength and resilient beauty. Every poem is a treat and something worthy of anticipation.
A poem to save and savor in the dark days of Febuaray – feel the heat.
Thanks BA
I love how you savored this poem! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy Jerrice
Brilliant poem, Jerrice! It takes us soooo many places–like the music. Well done!
Thanks Carolyn! So grateful for your appreciation of the poem & music!
Joy
Jerrice
Another wonderful poem, Jerrice. And how great to listen to the music while reading it again!
Fabulous! Thanks Joanne! I’m thrilled you enjoyed both the poem & music!
Happy summer days to you!
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice-Such a beautiful poem and song to go with it on a lazy afternoon overlooking Lake Michigan. The line that strikes me is “regrets of not having taken risks.” This is encouraging to take more risks.
Thanks Kathleen Jay! I’m glad you love that line in the poem! I’m glad it’s important to you too!
Your words are great inspiration for me as a poet! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician again!
Joy
Jerrice
I love “my life depends now on orange zinnias planted in a teal ceramic pot. Also made me reflect on the wisdom of taking walks, and not getting sucked into validating others’neuroses
Thanks Cilla! I’m glad the poem reminded you of self care. I’m happy you love the orange zinnias!
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice, you weave the water throughout this poem like silk through a loom. Even the promise of rain brings the image of sadness and worry as you observe the “orange zinnias planted in a teal ceramic pot”. Lovely!
Thanks Hollie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the rain and water theme throughout the poem! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Each line of Jerrice’s poetry always portrays layers of deeper meaning and emotion than I can catch at first blush. Good poetry deserves rereading to catch all the intricate nuance. August Blues is packed with human emotion and touches all the senses. Jerrice brings us together with her poetry.
Thank you Mary for such deep understanding and profound feedback of my poem!
I appreciate your comment greatly! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician magazine once more!
Joy & delight
Jerrice
I really am impressed with Jerrice’s work, choice of words. This is a beautiful poem!
Thank you so much Barbara!
I’m grateful for your appreciation of my words! Thanks for savoring them!
Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice’s poem beautifully captures the feeling of August. From the buzzing of the mosquitos to the brilliant orange zinnias in the teal planter. Great poem!
Lynn Gore
Thank you so much Lynn! I’m so glad you enjoyed the imagery & details and descriptions!
It’s a blessing!
Love seeing you return to Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
This poem was so powerful! It captured the true concern for your “sweetheart” which I thought was amazing! And the song “August Blues” complimented your words so nicely. Your gift of poetry, is a gift to me. Thank you! You’re amazing!
Thanks a million Valerie for such a vibrant compliment for my poem and the song! WOW! you leave me speechless! I’m so full of inspiration from your exquisite words! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
What a beautiful poem, so beautiful I can’t stop rereading it. You read it the way it was meant to be read. 💞
Thanks Carrie for reading with such care my poem! I’m glad you are taken with its beauty and keeps you rereading! That’s always awesome when a poem does that! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine Carrie!
Joy!
Jerrice
Jerrice, you beautifully shared your heart’s observations and translated these into a powerful and thoughtful poem. Your words really took form for me after I heard your reading. May you continue to share from your heart through your poetry, you have a gift! Keep creating ✨️
Thanks so much Myra! I’m thrilled you listened to the recording of the poem and loved it! Your words nourish my creative spirit! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Thanks Myra!
I appreciate so much the fact that you listened to the recording of the poem. Something amazing happens in us when the poet shares their voice! The poem comes alive. Thanks for listening!
Joy!
Jerrice
Thank you my friend for this beautiful piece. I could picture the zinnias in that ceramic pot, vibrant and reaching to the August clouds.
I thought your reading was such a compliment to the words.
Thanks Sandi! It’s wonderful, you’re loving the zinnias in the ceramic pot. I do too love this imagery! Thanks for reading! Glad you listened to the recording too!
Happy summer!
Jerrice
Oh my goodness, what a treat!
Hi Crystal,
It’s magnificent you delve into the words and think of it as a treat! I’m happy to write a poem to feast on.
Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
This is so beautiful in its imagery and its rhythm. It took me places! I’m so impressed with your words. I’m bookmarking this site to read more of your work! Lovely.
Hi Nancy! Such beautiful heartfelt words about my poem! I’m so grateful you’re bookmarking Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine to read more in the future! What a blessing!
Joy
Jerrice
Always like a melody from a finely-tuned violin. This story and the audio reading are so sensual.
Thanks Stephen! So glad to read your words and to know you enjoyed the sensuality of this poem! I love the poem being compared to a finely tuned violin! WOW! a great compliment! Thanks for reading, writing, listening !
Joy
Jerrice
I am always moved by Baptiste’s work. She sees and she feels. Then she synthesizes ordinary, simple sensory details brilliantly into images that lure us into the moments she captures. She allow us to experience her experiences and journey with her through each richly woven tapestry of her stories. Her readings cause heart aching and goosebumps to arise.
Thanks so much for reading and listening with such attention to the details of this poem & music! I’m thrilled to know it gave you goosebumps when you heard the recording!
Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine Lia!
Joy
Jerrice
This is the best one yet! Very beautiful!
Thanks so much Cathy! I’m thrilled you enjoyed and feel its my best yet! I’m glad you think so!
Happy Summer! Thanks for cheering me on in Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
August Blues is a beautifully written and softly intense poem. Baptiste’s lines are unique and full of imagery. It is a pleasure to read her work.
Thank you so much Denise for sharing your experience of my poem “August Blues.” I’m thrilled you enjoyed the imagery and it lingers with you! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Happy Summer!
Jerrice
Thanks Denise! I’m grateful for your comment & enjoyment! Glad you felt it was well written!
Joy
Jerrice
So sensuous and atmospheric …. Gorgeous!
Thanks Connie for your beautiful thoughts on this poem! So glad you got to read and felt the atmospheric aspect!
Joy
Jerrice
Lovely, Jerrice. I love the musical flow of it!
Thanks Adeli for always tuning in to the musicality of my poems! You’re such a wonderful listener! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
I felt like I was inside her poem. Such vivid words. Thankyou
Thanks so much Justine! I’m thrilled you had a full sensory experience with this poem! I’ m excited to read your words!
Joy
Jerrice
Oh, the rain in August! Beautiful poem, and hearing you read it was such a delight! Do you ever do poetry Open Mic nights?
Thanks for reading my poem Jane! I used to host a poetry open Mic some years ago! I’ve done hundreds of readings of my books in different venues! Glad you enjoyed the recording!
Joy
Jerrice
Beautiful poem Jerrice! Your imagery is lush and evocative. Enjoying the mystery of this poem, the particulars of a moment of a steamy August captured.
Thanks so much Bonnie! It’s wonderful to read your comment! I’m glad the poem comes across as evocative! Thanks for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice