Trumpet wails
smoke curls in jazz club
ice clinks in whiskey glasses.
Eyes glued to stage
they sit, imagining,
caught in her spell.
Red moist lips
sing in raspy sex-tinged voice
I put a spell on you.
Hips gyrate slowly
arms stretch above her head
hands writhe seductively.
He sits, shoulders slumped.
Food spattered lapels
ink stained fingertips.
The poet, as he’s known,
soaks in the atmosphere
with nowhere to go.
His mind travels
with her every word.
Imagines himself
inside her throat,
inside her eyes,
inside her soul.
Why can’t his words
do to his readers
what her voice
her words
her body
do to him?
Written for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today, Sanaa hosts Tuesday Poetics with a prompt titled Thirteen Songs, Thirteen Hauntings.
She gives us a list of thirteen songs and asks us to be inspired by one of them. We’re to let the music determine the mood, imagery, setting, and voice of the poem. I’ve selected I Put a Spell on You, by Nina Simone. The music and video definitely inspired my poem. Click on the video above, watch and listen for a bit and you’ll understand why.
Poor lonesome poet… sometimes words without music is just words. It sounds like a good place to be with his thoughts though
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We chose the same song, Lill, and, as ever, our poems are different, one of the many reasons I enjoy dVerse prompts. I love that you have set yours in a jazz club and the way the ‘would-be poet’ is entranced:
‘His mind travels
with her every word.
Imagines himself
inside her throat,
inside her eyes,
inside her soul.’
Wow!
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This is exquisitely woven, Lillian! Wow! I especially admire this part; “Red moist lips sing in raspy sex-tinged voice I put a spell on you.”
You’ve really set the mood! Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤️❤️
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I hope her way seeps into his soul so he can write affecting poetry.
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Totally spellbound
Much love
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Impeccably unwound…the first stanza drenched in atmosphere, imagery, feeling, and she moves with such sensuality beside the tormented poet and his brilliant last stanza!
Very nicely done.
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Interesting take on the prompt. She has put a spell on him, but not the one he wants. He would rather harness the power. I like it.
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Very well done, interesting take!
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What the poet always hopes for. Great write Lillian 👏
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Lillian a great poem – the transition from the sensory, intoxicating atmosphere of the jazz club to internal insecurity is handled beautifully 🙌 (I think this song is going to be very popular 😊)
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Oh, my goodness! This is brilliant, Lillian. I love this part:
“His mind travels
with her every word.
Imagines himself
inside her throat,
inside her eyes,
inside her soul.”
What emotion!! The passion grabs you!
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What a great contrast between the singer and the poet, both desiring to evoke the same feeling in those who hear and read!
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Love your portrayal of the poet with more passion for his words than the woman…
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Hi Lill, I couldn’t comment on your blog earlier. I love the evocative nightclub–very atmospheric. Poor poet!
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Love the setting, the atmosphere you created and of course the closing lines!
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excellent setting, and characterization!
I do happen to love Nina Simone.
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