Looking Back, With Regrets

I know a wonderful jazz poet and teaching artist, among other things.   Earlier this century, at an artist retreat of sorts, J. Otis inspired me to let out my inner poet.  Of course, his name is not a far leap from the great Cole Porter Song, so I took the liberty to write this poem at this retreat in June of 2000:

J. Otis Regrets   

RLS 6/00

It’s simultaneous

All over the map

Perhaps

Oh yeah-show me the money

Dreams are for never-neverland

Vernacular tidbits

Drumming to the beat of the

Less traveled road

Attempting an identity reunion

Me-meet – me (mi mi mi mi mi)

Kaleidoscope scaffolding

Keep it up up and away

Don’t bust my beautiful balloon

R.I.P.  J. Otis