IV. Jazz Funeral

The setting Sun a dull disk in a pool of filthy clouds,
             Parasols twisted one way, and then back
The waxing Moon a broken crescent turned on its side spilling silver
            Trombones lifted upward and then downward
The Constellation of the God Child glowing faintly in the marsh colored sky
            Mourners stepping in unison forward and then backward

This was the rhythm their bodies made during love,
            Disjoining and then joining,
This was the rhythm of their dance, weaving their steps together,
            To the right and then the left,
This was their life’s ship, made from the reeds on the banks of the river,
This was their course in the swirling tempest

Singing and moaning
            With voices come wise from the deepest caverns of the earth,
Passing their breath together
            Through golden trumpets in preposterous song,

This was the child they left behind.

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Notes:

“Constellation of the God Child”
I made this up, there is no constellation by this name as far as I know.

“...the child they left behind”
Refers to the child of the two lovers Anahita and Cassiel. It’s also a play on the name of President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” Education program.