May 21
Black Jack I beat the dealer
and no use complaining
even though one or another souvenir
of my bout with cancer may act up
throwing a left hook that I didn't evade
and the embarrassment of a knockdown
will be mine
I will get up at the count of eight and
On May 21
Fats Waller's birthday
I'll be living in a great big way and I will play
"Honeysuckle Rose" and "Your Feet's Too Big"
yes, "your pedal extremities are colossal"
As I write this
It is November 10 of the previous year
but I can do it I can sit right down
and write myself a letter
and make believe
it came from you