The following account, though it may sound strange,
And, unlikely to have occurred, I tell you that it did.
The occurrence I experienced, was one Saturday morn,
At about age 12; when I was just a Kid.

Had to get up early that morning,
Me and my homies were goin to the beach.
It was just about ten past six,
Thought I’d eat on the way, grabbed me a pear and a peach.

My pet Boxer, Butch was raring to go;
We were to meet the gang, at Reggie’s place.
We left the house, and into the street we fled,
The Sun’s warm beams, caressing my tender young face.

Running down the sidewalk, we stopped at the curb,
Noticing the quiet, and the morning, shedding its dark.
Trotted down to Divisadero, made a left onto Grove,
Then up the hill and into the park.

Trotting on the path, up the semi steep hill -
- While enjoying the morning’s fragrant air -
- To the other side of the park, where Grove Street continued,
Slowing down, to go down the stairs.

Down Grove Street, passing Clifton’s house,
And down to Fillmo’, still full of energy,
Passing the Holsomes’ crib, and thinking about,
My crazy-assed friends, in that family.

Then down towards Webster, I continued to go,
And at the corner, I made a quick right,
Where I collided with something, that I can only describe,
As a cushion of air, surrounded by a blue light.

Startled, and momentarily blinded,
Butch and I, just halted and waited,
To see what had happened, what we had encountered,
When reality had settled, and the confusion abated.

My vision – slowly returning – saw a hint of a figure,
Standing silently, about six-feet away.
Then a coarse sounding voice – with melodic vibration,
And a tone of eloquence, I clearly heard say:

Hello there Li’l Jimmy, you have nothing to fear.
You are here through Benevolence and Grace,
In a timeless world, where the past meets the future,
I welcome you to Jazz Land, where for music, this is the only Place.

As I looked around me, I felt a strong sensation,
Of something creative, and intensely profound.
Then what seemed to be coming, from an unreachable distance,
Increasing in volume, the music of an unforgettable sound.