SAXOPHONE

There's a guy in Central Park
getting an unbelievable sound out of a saxophone.
This isn't even so uncommon.
He's alone on a bench.
And nobody is paying any attention.
This is New York.
We're cool.
The tune is autumn leaves
but summer is hot upon us.
The sweet notes have no sour neighbors
to complain through the walls of
the building where he lives.
Is he performing?
Practicing?
Are these sounds for us, or simple self expression?
Who cares?
As I bike by,
I give him the slightest hint of a wave
and he acknowledges with
the barest hint of a nod.


© Ellen Azorin