‘In a Glance’

A poem about Ron Carter

In a glance

Ron studies the air

as professor

as student

In a glance,

Mr. Carter studies the air, the atmosphere

something I can’t see

but wish I could

In a glass 

ice dances into water

in time

as tobacco into smoke

Smoke floods the light

and struggles towards the stage

Fingers dance

Fingers slide, fingers bounce

on strings

Echoing their stance

String bass

rhythm and song

first percussion

then melody

foreground settles

into the comfort of his background

Mr. Carter looks out

into his glasses

Through his glasses

in light

enlightened 

I am

in respect, Mr. Carter

— am proehl - 12/10/88, Sweet Basil, NYC