Jazz In Winter By Felicia Chernesky

There is no warming balm
like a lush and tawny riff.
The soothing halcyon psalm

chromatically uplifts
and slows the booted rush,
lingering as it drifts

through freezing city slush
and turned-up collar chill
and taxi blast, to hush

all cold harsh noise until,
between each icy blow,
with melody and trill

and dulcet honey glow,
like February streetlight,
it melts an evening snow.