[Dream Gate] [Poet Glas]

"You Gotta Watch What You Say," Ralph Said

I wrote this after listening to modern-day Beat poet/Nettwerk artiste Ralph Alfonso's band, also known as 'Ralph.' His magazine is also called 'Ralph.' Is there a trend here?

"You gotta watch what you say," that's what Ralph said.
It was pretty good. Jazz music, beat like beatniks
over the crowd, and the girl next to me tapping her knee.

It was as fine a Monday as ever jazzed me.

"You gotta watch what you say," that's what Ralph said.
It was pretty good. The thin smoke hung purple in the club,
like the chords and piano keys.

It was as fine a Funday as ever snazzed me.

"You gotta watch what you say," that's what Ralph said.
It was pretty good. Bongos and drums, and Ralph's long hair.
It was the 16th of January 1985--or was it '86--in a fine
Roman fountain, scrounging for lost pennies and wishes.

It was a day when Chet Baker would have been proud of
the silver notes and words in the air.

"You gotta watch what you say," that's what Ralph said.
It was pretty good.

copyright 9 May 1995, by Earle B. 'Glas' Durboraw.

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