Mr. Amen Ra

Image, eye, finger, and shutter
slicing through fluff and clutter
catching lightening in bottles
with logic like Aristotle’s—
The Town’s Johnny-on-the-spot
He came, he saw, and he shot

Graceful dancer with huge heart
Crafting ordinary steps into art
Monkish owl, as jazzy as wise
Keeping our eyes on the prize—
The Town’s Johnny-on-the-spot
He came, he saw, and he shot

Soul-jah on the Oaktown patrol
Shooter with sick skill and soul
Catcher of what was goin’ down
Chronicling biz of The Town—
The Town’s Johnny-on-the-spot
He came, he saw, and he shot

The Town’s Johnny-on-the-spot
He came, he saw, and he shot
Master who worked it with ease
Lifting us up like he’s Hercules
Leaving us high on his top-shelf—
Body of work speaking for itself…

Former forklift driver/warehouse worker/janitor, Raymond Nat Turner is a NYC poet; BAR's Poet-in-Residence; and founder/co-leader of the jazz-poetry ensemble UpSurge!NYC. Read other articles by Raymond Nat, or visit Raymond Nat's website.