Dad would have been eighty today. One of his greatest loves was jazz, and I have many fond childhood memories of the two of us listening to such music together. You can watch a video of the song we often enjoyed. To hear me read the poem, click this link.
***
Dad, Fats, and Me
As the piano’s base notes
imitate baby elephant patter,
I stomp my six-year-old feet in time,
while sitting on the couch across from Dad,
sprawled in his easy chair, his nose in a book.
He looks up, chuckles.
As Fats Waller sings no praises
to a woman’s over-sized feet,
I stand, stomp around the den.
Dad sings along–I giggle.
As the song crescendos
with blaring saxophone and trumpet,
I lift my feet,
bring them to the floor with purpose.
The record has other songs:
“The Joint is Jumpin’,” “Seafood, Mama,”
but my little feet always stomp in time
whenever I hear Fats say, “Your Feet’s Too Big.”
***
Author Abbie Johnson Taylor
How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver
I love it! dp
LikeLike
Thanks, Deon.
LikeLike
A wonderful memory, well told. I can see you stomping those feet.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kathy. I still stomp my feet whenever I hear that song.
LikeLike
Beautiful poem Abbie—nicely crafted and I love the memories.
LikeLike
Thanks, Andy, glad you liked the memories even though you weren’t around at the time.
LikeLike