Sunrise

Richard Davis, bassist, iridescent

in his shirt, wired up, amplified,

laid back, happy, his smile a good mile wide,

acknowledges his group - piano, trumpet,

saxophone & drums - and they're off:

It's "Sunrise," measured, melodic, safe,

easy listening, sing-along, the sax

staying the course, the piano trying to vex

us with an ornery run, but no, the riff

falls flat & then the drum takes over, half-

cocked, the sax talks back, squeaking & skronking,

noisy erudition, a profusion of ruses

(he's not choosy) until even us rhythmless white guys

are grooving like nobody's business, whooping & honking!