All You Have to Do is Whistle by Dale Innis on Midjourney
Please Press Play to hear me recite my poem to the music: “Windswept” by Johnny Jewel
Only Playing For You
Smokey night in Club Noir
I half close my eyes
and only play for you.
Transfixed and in a trance
everything I feel inside
I softly blow it out, like an exhale
like a plea; are you even aware of me?
Just one more member of the band,
I took your coat and hat
at the door,
but in that instant, something blinded me…
a skip of a heartbeat,
a bolt of romance.
You fulfilled my visual fantasy
and when I went on stage, I knew
I would only play to you.
The set seems so short,
In my solo, I’m not sure I
said what I was trying to say.
A tentative reaching out with my notes,
now I finally see you sitting in the back…
and I send a high cry saxophone tone
like a messenger pigeon,
to your ear; in swirls it touches you
up and down, around and around
I whisper, “I am only playing for you.”
And right in the middle of my song,
you get up to leave.
My saxophone lets out a muted wail,
every note is a protest.
“How could you do this to me?”
I’m not even sure how I play the last bars,
so sad that you left and I’m all in my head
ending abruptly on a note.
I don’t take my bow,
whoever you were, I lost you
and I too am leaving now
And then, as I put away my sax
and close the case,
I am still standing backstage
trying to recover my grace,
when the manager comes
and says right to my face…
“This is for you..” and he hands
me a note, doubled in two
“Meet me outside when you’re off,
I feel like I want to get to know you.”
Patting my intuition on the back….
that’s exactly what I do.
Karima Hoisan
Feb. 19, 2023
Costa Rica
i like this ending😘❤️🙏🏼 great journey too 🌎🦋 thanks🙏🏼🤗
Oh goody, I like happy endings too:) It was touch and go for awhile and so glad you enjoyed her song and her uncertainty:) I guess I have fallen into my new role as Poet Storyteller…I blame it all on Dale and his imagery:) Thank you soulkin for listening and commenting 💃🏻🙏❤️🎉🎈🌈
Wow. 🙂 I love this new style when you recite each of these poems out loud for us, to the perfect music. I don’t know how you do it!
Or, as somebody said, when you tell us each of these stories. I am so delighted that some of my images draw these stories out; your muse is amazing!
Wonderful words and voice, as ever.
Oh Dale you are to blame or be rewarded for hitting my muse right between her creative eyes and putting out these images that well..seem to inspire a new wave of Ekphrastic Storytelling… There is no other way to say it:) I hadn’t realized I had done a few like this, until someone pointed it out:) I guess in my poetic later years I am spinning tales, for the campfires or smoky night clubs….Who knew? I love when I am the last one to;) Thank you for over-working my muse:):)
Loving how these lines pull me along and the gorgeous reading that immerses me in the poetry as I read along. Loving the last two lines too! <3
Always enjoy and take to heart your impressions of my poetry, Layla. You really allow yourself immersive delight, by letting yourself be “pulled along” This is such a wonderful piece of feedback and…I listen to when you talk to me…You are a wonderfully conscious reader as well as a beautiful poetic soul yourself! Thank you! 🌹🙏🌹
Love the ending!
Oh…I’m glad:):) She suffered a bit but it was all worth it:) Thank you my friend for your support:)
WOW!!! Karima, this is simply brilliant!!! What a story, what a journey and what a ride!!! The imagery is just sublime, I could picture every single line of your words. This has a delicate, soothing, infectious and flowing feel to it. I love how you play with emotion in such an authentically real way, makes your words so deeply alive. Stunning stunning piece, my dear friend. You continue to amaze me 🤍🤗
Aww thank you sweet..I love to see your enthusiasm about one of my pieces. Love that you took that ride, flowed with the saxy lady who was just playing to please. That really makes me feel motivated, Grace, this storytelling thing, just started by itself..but I am now thinking it’s an interesting direction my poetry is taking…Thank you my friend, you help me strengthen my trust in the process, take chances. Seeing my results in your eyes, in your comments spur me on to confide in my artistic intuition…and as you put it..ride it to where it takes me. Gracias, gracias! ❤️🌹🙏
Everything turned black & white as you recited this.
Good Buddeh..I was hoping that might happen!!! Glad it took you to that black & white place:)
Hello Karima, a beautiful poem beautifully read. Fantastic!
Why thank you so much for listening.tallisman, and leaving this very encouraging comment.
hot teasing romance … very steamy! And I love a sexy sax 🙂
Awww thank you Kate…I really love a good sax too:):) So glad you stopped by and listened:)
you two offer a great variety of intriguing posts 🙂
🤗🤗
🦋🌹🌈
I love this! Shrouded in mystery and romanticism. Right out of a 30’s film noir production.
Awww thank you Hoyt and so good to see you!! Glad you said that, because that is exactly the mood I was going for…Isn’t that sax piece great? Thank you my friend, for always supporting me.
It is so good. You can tell a story dear Karima.
I didn’t used to think I could (tell a story) but you are making me believe it, John:) Thank you for saying so.🌹
You can dear Karima. And you are welcome.
It’s the setting! You’re a master at setting the scene, and creating that atmosphere of whatever you’re writing about! Great vocals! It’s like speech signing (Sprechstimme)! Love it!
Ohh thank you Ben…love the phrase speech singing ( Sprechstimme in German?) The image helped me imagine the set, a small Noir club where the band members check coats even:) Thank you again for this great comment..Your words always energize:)
Yes, it’s German exactly. I learned of it when I studied classical music. Wow, you have a vivid imagination. Interesting that you can picture everything like a movie scene almost. Welcome! Have a great Monday!
Mesmerizing Karima! You do know now, we want a sequel right?! 🥰
Haha…hmmm I will see what I can do:) Thank you Cindy for inspiring me:)
🥰💞 Always!