Melodically Speaking - My Humble Tribute to Charlie Bird Parker

Shot out of space
like a blazing comet,
You impacted the planet
leaving behind
a giant crater

You took and still do
take us
on frantic excursions
through the labyrinth
of your enigmatic and powerful mind


You offered your soul
like a bouquet of aromatic flowers
Kindred spirits
could nestle in and wallow amidst
its fragrant petals  

Where were you  before you arrived
on earth?
Did you walk among the stars?
Did you befriend the planets?
Did you first hear those notes in space?

When you revealed your repertoire,
People were stunned into silence
They had never heard anything like it before
Now,  everyone who traverses your path
cant help but sound like you

Your exit was as tumultuous as your entrance
Your life - though brief -
was rewardingly productive.

You left us
With a message in our hearts;
A tear in our eyes;
And a smile on our lips;

The cresset  you have litFrom the fire  in your soulWill be rooted  foreverin the trenches of time 
  Written and posted on another site on July 18 1997.  A few changes have been incorporated.