Double Bass

Mine is the voice more profound and gentle
when the horns sob,
more stern while the saxophones celebrate.

Among the machines of music I am
Ulysses’ bow,
that blisters fingers and renders hands raw.

Who masters me is quiet about it.
I am the wise
and encouraging one, the counsellor.

Is my large brown body feminine?
Then hold me close
and dance, and be my partner for life.

In cries and whims we’ll partner them,

for here it’s not begun,
to tell the truth, till the fat lady’s sung.

John Gibbens

See a gallery of bassists in The Improvised Vision