“One Morning in May” – a poem (for May) by Jerrice J. Baptiste

May 1st, 2025

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Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan,  Melody Gardot and Nina Simone. She welcomes May with a poem devoted to Hoagy Carmichael…

 

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May, 2025

“One Morning in May”

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photo of Hoagy Carmichael c. 1953/via Wikimedia Commons

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One Morning in May

Purple hyacinth bows in corner
lifts heavy petals in your honor
Hoagy you saturate May flowers
like April showers.

Orange tulips open their lips bloomin’
quick fingers on your piano are sizzlin’
the room inhales sound of you darlin’
May rain wouldn’t slow your swingin’

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Listen to Jerrice J. Baptiste read her poem

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Listen to the 1933 recording of Hoagy Carmichael playing his composition “One Morning in May” [RCA Classics]

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Readers can click to each month of Jerrice’s 2025 calendar of jazz poetry  by clicking on the link to the months here:

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:

The Sunday Poem

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

“Bluesette,” Salvatore Difalco’s winning story in the 67th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician

Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter

Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)

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12 comments on ““One Morning in May” – a poem (for May) by Jerrice J. Baptiste”

  1. What a wonderful way to welcome the month of May! Petals rise, fingers dance, and life blooms with Hoagy’s music and Jerrice’s poem! Thanks for the uplifting experience.

    Reply

    1. Loved your comment Carolyn! Thanks for listening and reading! Thanks for revisiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine!
      Joy, Jerrice

      Reply

  3. “One morning in May” is a wonderful tribute to both May and Hoagy Carmichael read in Jerrice’s always soothing voice.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Mary! So glad you enjoyed the poem and reading! Thanks for being a Jazz enthusiast and returning to Jerry Jazz Musician Poetry!
      Joy, Jerrice

      Reply

    2. Thanks Mary for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine and listening to my poem this month!
      Happy May!
      Best wishes
      Jerrice

      Reply

  4. Thanks so much Julie for visiting Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine and for reading my poem! I’m glad you enjoyed both the music and imagery in my poetry!
    Best wishes
    Jerrice

    Reply

    1. Thank you for taking a listen and reading my poem Susan! Glad you loved it.
      Joy, Jerrice

      Reply

    2. I appreciate your beautiful comment Susan! Thanks for reading and listening to the poem and music!
      Best wishes
      Jerrice

      Reply

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