NINA SIMONE'S LIFE

In a Frisco club
walking in with my sax
from the now muni metro trains
at a rehearsal
where you sing on stage
at a young fragrant time
when we both need to relax
hoping for success at our age
when you were my Muse,
I'm carrying my pocket poetry
of my very first collection
you sign on your handbag
tonight feeling alone
needing no wine or confection
as the bright lights are flickering
others in the jazz corners
even some in lively drag
are laughing and bickering
as your emotive voice
echoes in the hallways
Nina Simone, always kept us alive
with a hot photograph
taking her spot- on picture
over by my shoulder's camera
at my musical riffs side
an adolescent heart smolders
from the ashen smoke
in the jazz underground
when you spoke to me
by whatever field of expression
in your love songs
for us to survive
witnessing to love's impression
whenever our lives went wrong
remembering those early poetic
notes sounding
by my playing the piano
from your music keeps us alive.