Note for My Singing Teacher – Amy Barnard

Note for My Singing Teacher
for Frances
 
But your funeral filled two church halls.
 
Tom playing for you, still wearing his coat.
the school jazz ensemble playing you out
like you planned.
 
i don’t lament over things.
i’m not worried about the Swedish haircut
or even the incident with the door.
 
Sorry never does any good, sorry,
but I forgot to dance in the aisles
 
better get hit in your soul
when they clap the clap
syncopation with a sax.
I forgot to dance in the aisles
 
so by the church on Church Road
I listened to the clapping
Zita wore chilli lipstick and danced
without thought, without weight.
You could say she danced for all of us.
 

by Amy Barnard
Taradale High School