So Sweet
(Gene Harris, 1933-2000)

underneath that pleasing
and high-gloss brilliance
we can still taste
the boogie-woogie honky-tonk
that burned and sweetened
all your fingertips

honey and raw molasses
you refined
into golden bebop crumble
sifted cool soul blues
then produced
in spirit and delight
perfect granules
of the sweetest sugar

served it up in three sounds
sprinkled on combos
spread it throughout the layers
of big bands
here adornment there dessert
where your bright fingers danced
the sun shone
well past the midnight hours
reflected in
pleasure on our palates