Blossom In Blossom
Quite an amazing voice to hear.2 total reviews
Comment from jacquelyn popp
This poem is an absolute delight-well written, full of rhythm, and dripping with the effortless cool of a smoky jazz club at midnight. It flows well, like a smooth melody, taking the reader on a rhythmic journey through the world of a legendary songbird, Miss Blossom Dearie. From the very first line, we're transported into a scene that feels alive with sound, movement, and a nostalgic charm that makes jazz lovers smile.
The opening stanza sets the stage beautifully: "In a hot jazz club where candle lights glowed, / Where cool cats gathered and the highballs flowed." Instantly, we can see it-the dimly lit club, the flickering candles, the hush of anticipation before the first note drifts through the air. It's cinematic in its detail, pulling the reader right into the heart of a world where jazz reigns supreme.
And then comes the star of the show-"There sat a songbird, so breezy and bright, / Spinning soft gold in the hush of the night." What an enchanting way to introduce Blossom Dearie! She's not just a singer; she's magic, spinning gold with every note she croons. The poem captures her essence with sparkling wit and playful charm, much like Dearie's own music.
The imagery throughout is simply exquisite. "Soft voice, like champagne-pure bubbly yet sly, / A wink in her tone, a tilt to her eye." That description is perfection! Her voice isn't just something to be heard; it's something to be felt-a blend of effervescence and mischievous charm, like the fizz of champagne with a little secret behind it. The poet understands that Blossom Dearie's magic wasn't just in her sound, but in her personality, the way she played with her audience and infused every note with character.
As the poem progresses, it pays homage to her global appeal-"Wherever she went, the world tapped its feet, / Australians tapped a kangaroo beat." The lighthearted humor here is fantastic, reinforcing the idea that her music was universal, a rhythm so infectious that no one could resist swaying along. Her retro style is described as "tunes like fine wine in a cabaret," which captures her timeless elegance and effortless cool.
Then, the poem shifts into full swing, mirroring the tempo of a jazz performance. The stanza-"Her voice, a ribbon that dances on air, / With bebop finesse and cabaret flair."-is both visually and musically satisfying. We can almost hear her voice lilting through the club, wrapping around the notes like silk. The phrasing here is particularly strong, reflecting the playful, carefree nature of jazz itself.
The reference to "I'm hip," she declares with a knowing grin, / While the bass walks cool and the drums kick in." is a brilliant nod to her signature style. The beat is alive in these lines, as if the poem itself is swaying to the rhythm of a stand-up bass. The wit in "She's hip, and a gas, but not middle class." is so sharp, it feels like something Dearie herself might have sung with a sly smile.
And then, the grand finale-a toast to the Queen of Cool. "She's the pulse of dreams, a rebel who's fair. / She's alive, aware, in step, but not square." These closing lines are pure perfection, capturing not only the essence of Blossom Dearie but also the very spirit of jazz: vibrant, uncontainable, and eternally hip.
This poem is an absolute triumph-well crafted, endlessly entertaining, and brimming with life. It doesn't just describe Blossom Dearie; it becomes her, dancing through each verse like a bebop melody, light on its feet, yet rich with depth. Well done!
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This poem is an absolute delight-well written, full of rhythm, and dripping with the effortless cool of a smoky jazz club at midnight. It flows well, like a smooth melody, taking the reader on a rhythmic journey through the world of a legendary songbird, Miss Blossom Dearie. From the very first line, we're transported into a scene that feels alive with sound, movement, and a nostalgic charm that makes jazz lovers smile.
The opening stanza sets the stage beautifully: "In a hot jazz club where candle lights glowed, / Where cool cats gathered and the highballs flowed." Instantly, we can see it-the dimly lit club, the flickering candles, the hush of anticipation before the first note drifts through the air. It's cinematic in its detail, pulling the reader right into the heart of a world where jazz reigns supreme.
And then comes the star of the show-"There sat a songbird, so breezy and bright, / Spinning soft gold in the hush of the night." What an enchanting way to introduce Blossom Dearie! She's not just a singer; she's magic, spinning gold with every note she croons. The poem captures her essence with sparkling wit and playful charm, much like Dearie's own music.
The imagery throughout is simply exquisite. "Soft voice, like champagne-pure bubbly yet sly, / A wink in her tone, a tilt to her eye." That description is perfection! Her voice isn't just something to be heard; it's something to be felt-a blend of effervescence and mischievous charm, like the fizz of champagne with a little secret behind it. The poet understands that Blossom Dearie's magic wasn't just in her sound, but in her personality, the way she played with her audience and infused every note with character.
As the poem progresses, it pays homage to her global appeal-"Wherever she went, the world tapped its feet, / Australians tapped a kangaroo beat." The lighthearted humor here is fantastic, reinforcing the idea that her music was universal, a rhythm so infectious that no one could resist swaying along. Her retro style is described as "tunes like fine wine in a cabaret," which captures her timeless elegance and effortless cool.
Then, the poem shifts into full swing, mirroring the tempo of a jazz performance. The stanza-"Her voice, a ribbon that dances on air, / With bebop finesse and cabaret flair."-is both visually and musically satisfying. We can almost hear her voice lilting through the club, wrapping around the notes like silk. The phrasing here is particularly strong, reflecting the playful, carefree nature of jazz itself.
The reference to "I'm hip," she declares with a knowing grin, / While the bass walks cool and the drums kick in." is a brilliant nod to her signature style. The beat is alive in these lines, as if the poem itself is swaying to the rhythm of a stand-up bass. The wit in "She's hip, and a gas, but not middle class." is so sharp, it feels like something Dearie herself might have sung with a sly smile.
And then, the grand finale-a toast to the Queen of Cool. "She's the pulse of dreams, a rebel who's fair. / She's alive, aware, in step, but not square." These closing lines are pure perfection, capturing not only the essence of Blossom Dearie but also the very spirit of jazz: vibrant, uncontainable, and eternally hip.
This poem is an absolute triumph-well crafted, endlessly entertaining, and brimming with life. It doesn't just describe Blossom Dearie; it becomes her, dancing through each verse like a bebop melody, light on its feet, yet rich with depth. Well done!
Comment Written 20-Mar-2025
Comment from papa55mike
I hope you got to see her live. YouTube seems to keep alive the vintage music some of us crave. Like Blues from the 30s and 40s. This is a wonderfully written poem. Good luck in the contest! Have a great day, and God bless.
mike
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I hope you got to see her live. YouTube seems to keep alive the vintage music some of us crave. Like Blues from the 30s and 40s. This is a wonderfully written poem. Good luck in the contest! Have a great day, and God bless.
mike
Comment Written 20-Mar-2025
