they come
for the nightly blues
watch her through smoky haze
sitting in judgment
after all, they are the paying customers
Allouette, night club singer
soulful, mournful

Allouette, a ten-day gig
debut, Allouette belts out da blues,
a small blemish near left eye
hardly noticeable

comes night two, Allouette
croons sublime, female Sinatra
bottom lip swollen

next night she's back, don't you know: Allouette
gets in the cool-cat-groove
shades, misshapen nose

let's have it for her on night five: Allouette
wails down-home Mississippi juke-joint stuff
hides behind a veil

fifth night a gas, man: Allouette
howls new direction for jazz, pizzazz
silhouette under the lights, arms discolored

can’t keep her away for night six: Allouette
squalls unique sound, merging Hank and Miles
nose begins to bleed

back for more, she loves her man: Allouette
expounds on her sound with ambiance
staggers with a limp

can't stop her, night eight: Allouette
packs 'em in, digging her melancholy pain
through tears that burn

hurtin' bad, but made it back: Allouette
new vibes, heartbreaking
gravely voice, throat busted

gig's last night: Allouette
led to microphone, can only hum
someone yells, "Break a leg!"

©Febuary 25, 2019 / Jerry Pat Bolton