Here is Alan's newest poem published just yesterday on Jerry Jazz Musician's great jazz site. If you go to the JJM site (hotlink below) to see it, there is a hotlink to hear "Listen to the Music" - a great song! Alan wishes us all good fortune in our fight to banish the pandemic to somewhere far far away and SOON! Let's all behave ourselves and stop spreading germs! Happy New Year to everyone! And thanks again Alan for uplifting us when we need it!
Alan Yount, poet; Columbia, MO
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…..I have always been a great fan of the Doobie Brothers.This poem uses a line from the Doobies' song, “Listen To The Music.”
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What The People Really Need, Is A Way To Make Them Smile
………..“Tom Johnston, Doobie Brothers Band.”
…………“What I miss most, is seeing …all the people smile.” … Jerra [Alan's devoted wife]
in the virus era
now everyone wears
a mask.
*****
with all the college students
returning this fall,
I realized that no one
can really tell
what the gals & guys
look like.
*****
then there is this:
you can’t even see, or hear
if people are singing
a little song
as they walk along …
(maybe saying, I love you so).
*****
with masks on
the people look like
they are cast
in pompean stone.
*****
we all need to pull together
to find something
fairly soon.
right now it seems
nearly impossible,
but somehow show them
that change is coming.
*****
finally, finally,
make the masks come off:
“that what the people really need
is a way to make them smile.”
***
Postscript: This poem was inspired by the Doobie Brothers song, “Listen To The Music,” from their album Toulouse Street.
………….Originaly published by: WestWard Quarterly: Fall issue, 2020.
https://jerryjazzmusician.com/2020/12/what-one-song-best-represents-your-experience-with-2020/
