[David Callin]

SECOND REVISION

When I hear the horns come in
on "The Very Thought of You"
(this is Al Bowlly’s version),
that joyous fortissimo

is like Bechet's enormous yes,
a moment of congruence
in an out of kilter universe
suddenly making sense

and I think of the footsore Pilgrim,
having sloughed off greed and wrath and pride,
with the trumpets sounding for him
on the other side

and this is one of music’s
neater tricks.

REVISION

When I hear the horns come in
on "The Very Thought of You"
(this is Al Bowlly’s version)
that joyous fortissimo

is like an unconditional yes,
the unreserved acceptance
of a hubble bubble universe
suddenly making sense

and I think of the footsore Pilgrim,
having sloughed off greed and wrath and pride,
with the trumpets sounding for him
on the other side

and this is one of music’s
neater tricks.

ORIGINAL

When I hear the horns come in
on The Very Thought of You
(this is Al Bowlly’s version)
that joyous fortissimo

is like an enormous welcoming yes,
the unreserved acceptance
of a briefly rational universe
suddenly making sense

and I think of the footsore pilgrim,
having sloughed off greed and wrath and pride,
with the trumpets sounding for him
on the other side

and this is one of music’s
neater tricks.