Percussion

Tatterdemalion bone scat,

waistbend on the downbeat,

feet, a shin on a swipebreeze,

toes, the axis of hoof speed.

Tap is this,

and tap is that.

Sweet muskmelon on monkfish,

hoecake as ladyfinger souse,

cuke flesh from lowcountry vine,

bone-suck, yardbird, white rind.

Hungry, I whirl on a wish,

conga and clog as my side dish.

Foolgiddy shuck-shuck on down pat,

sweetgrass and cockleburr dew

neck iron, red boa, chattel blue.

Tap is poke-with.

Tap is pluck-at.

Soap slick, bubble-up, bath mat.

Rope thick, huckabuck- laughed at .

Cocked straw, brim felt, top hat

Lock jaw, hymn yelp, combat

Yeah ...tap is this.

Tap is that.

Poke with. Pluck at.

I And not the brother before me: and not the father before him-