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The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.
Bob Hecht reads his poem at its conclusion.
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photo by Bob Hecht
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Interplay
“Oh hear me talkin’ to ya,”
Armstrong sang out in 1928
practically at the dawn of jazz
which had to have been
‘round about midnight
and in those six words
conveyed or even codified
the essence of jazz
the intent of jazz
the raison d’être of jazz
to anybody listening
really listening
it is plain as night
there is a conversation
going on musically
without any words
a call and a response
a continual
back and forth
an interplay
play being the
boperative word
as the ball
is sent back and forth
across the net
the net being
a music staff
the ball being
notes
whole
halved
quartered
and so on
crossing over
in meters of
various fractions
at shifting tempos
neither player knowing
exactly where a note
may cross or bounce
between the bar lines
and so must always
be poised
on his or her toes
and ears
anticipating
a savage smash
or a gentle lob
or a sneaky slice
with topspin no less
the idea always being
the notes must continue
until both players agree
they have reached the
end of the game
when they reach
across the net
smile
and
slap
palms
both having won
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Listen to Bob Hecht read his poem
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Bob Hecht frequently contributes his essays, photographs, interviews, playlists and personal stories to Jerry Jazz Musician. His poetry has been published in Modern Haiku, Frogpond, bottle rockets, Red Moon Anthology, Simply Haiku, Contemporary Haibun and others. His photographs have been published in LensWork, The Sun, Black & White and others. His photographs may be seen at www.roberthecht.com or on Instagram @roberthechtphotography2.0.
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Listen to the 1966 recording of pianist Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall performing Cole Porter’s composition “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” [Universal Music Group]
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Click for:
A Letter From the Editor: On “The Weary Blues: Celebrating Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance”
Information about the book Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry, Vol. II (featuring women poets)
“21 jazz poems on the 21st” collections
More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician
“Where the Music Wasn’t Allowed,” Jane McCarthy’s winning story in the 71st 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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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced since 1999
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