Yes, I was there when it happened;
The day he died.
I was always there, he depended on me,
And I didn’t ever fail him; did I?
This man chosen by The Bird to play in his band;
Dizzy wanted him, and bebop rang out,
Loud and long, until that day
When he was joined with Gerry,
And the Quartet struck gold.
And that is when I joined him, this man
Who could play like a nightingale,
And sing like an angel.
All the time I was there, supporting this man,
Never left him, followed him all over the world.
He played those gentle tunes that we know
With a sound so mellow, that the birds stopped to listen.
That day when he went looking for me,
The saddest of all, beaten to a pulp;
No longer able to play for months but he found me,
I wasn’t far away that day but not close enough
To protect him.
But he came back and the music swelled again
From this genius of Jazz.
Then came that day in Amsterdam;
Just the two of us in the hotel room.
I as ever supporting him
As he injected me into his arm.
He got up and stumbled, and as he fell from the window,
I was still there, when his eyes closed forever.
-
Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: May 13th, 2025 00:42
- Comment from author about the poem: Chet Baker died on this day, 13th May 1988, he is my favourite jazz trumpeter.
- Category: special-occasion
- Views: 9
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy
Offline)
Comments7
You have such an array of energy when you write about jazz and indeed music in general your knowledge is so welcome and I always enjoy learning from you dear Andy. 🌹
Your words are so kind Teddy, thank you very much.
Andy
Good write Gold.
Thanks Orchi.
Best personification of smack I've ever come across.
Thanks Dave, he was on it practically all his life but he was still a fabulous trumpeter.
Andy
Agreed, Andy
A sad but true tail, tenderly written about one of life's great musician's, enjoyed the read
Most kind Tobani, he was certinly a fine musicin.
Andy
You are very welcome
A solemn and meaningful tribute 🙏🏻🕊️
Most kind arqios, thank you.
Andy
A beautiful but sad story well written from a second person (drug) point of view. How many artists, philosophers, even scientists enhance reality and their work with substances. Good write Andy
Your words are much appreciated soren, thank you.
Andy
Sorry for your loss, Andy. A well-written love story.
He is still in my life as I have most of his recordings.
Andy
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