Once a Louisiana hipster dies
It’s a tradition to give Jazz funeral.
When the coffin is carried out
Of the church, somber music
Followed by military
Dressed Dixie brass marching band.
White hankies waving, waving,
As horns sob & tuba grunts
Farewell, farewell, ah! Farewell.
Best juke-joint soldier slain
For wrecking the devil’s still
Concealed in a murky swamp.
Soon as the pallbearers tuck the coffin
Inside the black hearse pulled by two horses,
It’s goodbye dirge and it’s howdy party
Time, funky beats and some jitterbugging.
Smoked trumpets a blowin’ and a blowin’,
Steamed snare drums a snappin’ and a snappin’,
All the way down to the cemetery.
Finale residence among legendary
Dixieland. Bebop & hard-bop players
Who rip up in Duke Skeleton’s Big Band.
-- Joshua Meander of Forest Hills, N.Y. His poems are romantic in spirit with a touch of drama.