She Sings Standards in the Corner
by Mark Lloyd
clatter of ice
in glasses
whisper of top shelf cocktails
kitchen’s dinner specials
glide within this room
and across the bar
finds the singer in the corner
She sings standards
songs we all know
but seldom hear
She sits on a stool
dressed in a form-fitting sleeveless
sparkling-black dress
My Funny Valentine echoes from
her buffed-over lips
Her Carole Lombard locks
droop over her brow
and settle across her shoulders
She crosses her black-stocking legs
bounces and smiles out
Sunny Side of the Street
The singer
sits in her corner
slips on her glasses
and hums out
Cry Me a River
patrons drink
some want to smoke but can’t
The patrons clap
after each of Her songs
Are they really listening?
They glance from their conversations
Is her voice the days-end elation
they don’t know they need...
Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v5n18: Best of Buffalo (5/4/06) > Poetry > She Sings Standards in the Corner This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Artvoice TV • Events Calendar • Classifieds |