All along

The snap crackle pop twist
of drum sticks and brushes
the hush hush howl
of the saxophone's sub-tone
the click clack
of the keys zooming across scales
and the boom bang
of the piano's crashing, vibrant stride

a tuning note hums across the stage
and the time is set in stone
with a coy smile the bandleader
steps in front and holds out a trumpet

soon the music is off and running
a wind whirls across the stage
as cool as winter lakes
while the breeze gusts and spins
a haunting melody
a chilling harmony
a beautiful rhythm

so haunting, familiarly unfamiliar
it is as if the sound wasn't improvised
but really there all along