James Daniels
Blues and Bicycles Inspired by Thelonius Monks’ “Round Midnight” Brown girl dips around corners On a squeaky blue bicycle Using the rubber on the bottom Of her shoes to brake And brown her ripped soles Or ripped soul— Whichever came first. Which came first? The hearse or the cream Converses Draped over the power lines Like a curtain call Next to orange street lights. She slips home to make Bodies work in unison—her Coffee brown communion. Sweat keeps bubbling down To her dark shins And wrapping ’round staccato toes Tip tapping on momma’s broke tile ’till Silk spirits move from Ma Rainey records, Spinning like her bike tires, To puddled passion
36 | Perspectives Edition