John Boutte (singing “American Tune” with Paul Sanchez at dba Thursday, March 20, 2008)

He sings with his eyes closed
voice streaking from stage to sky
and back again
then whispering like a wish

That voice
could make an atheist believe in angels
make a breath or a sigh
seem like something divine

Light a dark room
with all the colors of a song
because there are more colors in the blues
than just blue

Gets inside your mind
cuts like glass then
heals the wound
it left behind

Is a hypnotist's watch ticking
ticking
ticking
you under its spell

until
you don't even realize
that you have stopped breathing
and are leaning forward

suspended
on the edge of your seat
as if ceasing all movement
will enable you to capture

every single note that follows


3/26/08