The guitar player watches

the mandolin player

intently, with anticipation

and a little smile beneath

his mustache

as the mandolin

sings its aria.

The mandolin player

watches the guitar player then

as the guitar sings

its own version of the aria.

All the while the drummer

smiles, eyes closed

as though relaxing

alertly, in a boat,

loving the sun on his face,

listening with his whole body

to the current’ s deep voice.

The bass player is an expert

at the tiller;

his is the ground

beneath the river,

 the muddy bottom

where life is made.