Gretna Wilkinson, Underground Jazz

They came from another planet,
it seemed; came to force us
to surrender all that was proper
as they played on into the night

Take it down, he said to her
One time. Take it down.
a tap tap tap of his right foot
he counted off: a one, a two,
a one two three and.
She began to blow

She blew that horn like it owed her rent.
His violin entered about two bars later
and they played on into the night

Sweat drizzled. The juke joint rocked
Musk collected above our heads
just below the chandelier

It was a vibe so pure in a place so free
no god would risk sending his angels
for fear they would never return

So, we were alone. Our only protection,
Marvin Gaye’s advice: Let’s get it on.
“Ooh!” I chimed in -- despite myself

The stranger beside me reached out
both arms and held me—tight.
We hummed and we swayed
while the band played on into the night

I understood right then
how Eve must have felt
when Adam bowed his head
clasped his hands and prayed,
“let’s get it on.”