Lucille Clifton




satchmo

he disremembers why he started grinning
this old great one
standing behind his cornet.
something to do with
new orleans as a girl
and the old men following death down rampart street.
he disremembers why, only now
always he comes with music
and with grinning
and we are glad
we swing with this old great one
who has something to do with life
grinning at love and death.