“There is a gesture he has, a motion, that always reminds me of a great batter leaning into a hit. He has a way of throwing one foot forward, putting his head down a bit as he silently runs the valves, and then the cheeks bloom out in the way that has mystified his dentist for years, and he hits into the solo. When that foot goes forward like that, you know that John Birks Gillespie is no longer clowning. Stand back.” KnowsWayYearsRunningBitsFeetThrowingGesturesCheeksSoloDentistValveClowning Author:Gene Lees
“I would say Pittsburgh softly each time before throwing him up. Whisper Pittsburgh with my mouth against the tiny ear and throw him higher. Pittsburgh and happiness high up. The only way to leave even the smallest trace. So that all his life her son would feel gladness unaccountably when anyone spoke of the ruined city of steel in America. Each time almost remembering something maybe important that got lost.” WayFeelsImportantAmericaRememberLostCitiesSonHigherMouthsEarsTinySpokesThrowingSmallestSteelRuinedGladnessPittsburgh Book:The Great Fires: Poems, 1982-1992 Source: The Great Fires: Poems, 1982-1992