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POEM: You Can Play A Shoestring If You’re Sincere

You Can Play A Shoestring If You’re Sincere
for Kittie Cooper

Or a sewing machine, as it turns out.
You can stick two contact mics on a Singer
and go to town, letting the feedback wail
as the crunchy needle sounds distort
through one of the many barefoot pedals.
One light bulb shines
through the holes in the paper
as it travels, threadless, through the machine.
The audience marvels like believers
watching a miracle.
If only Isaac were here
to see what he had (unintentionally) wrought.

/ / /

7 April 2026
Charlottesville VA

NOTE: The title of this poem is a quote from John Coltrane.

Day 7 of National Poetry Month.

Published in Music My poems NaPoWriMo2026 Poetry

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