Jazz improvizing and poetizing

share much in the game of life.

They are both fun and help their

practitioners get to the purpose

of life.  To be in the moment---

drawing on the past, anticipating

the future when time seems right.

Often the process is effortless as

if I am some sort of instrument:

semi-analytical, semi-emotional,

semi-performance, semi-trailer:

carrying the baggage of life down

the road in the darkness of night

with headlights showing the way

into meaning—at least for me if

not for others on the road of night.

Yes, there is joy and tranquillity,

the preparation has been my whole

life: the payment and reward has

nothing to do with money, simply

can not be bought or sold or chosen;

it comes because of who you are and

what you want as you go about finding

your way in this slough of despond.(1)

(1)  This prose-poem was written after listening to an interview with Sascha Feinstein on ABC Radio National, 15 October 2008 at 10:05 a.m.

Ron Price

1 November 2008