For Shifflett - Dustin Vado

*Written for John Shifflett, the legendary and beloved bass player, teacher, and band mate at San Jose State University.  This was written the night of his death at the Art Boutiki Jazz Jam among the sorrow of his former students.  He will be sorely missed, and his memory will forever inspire the generations that were lucky enough to learn from him and hear him play.*


The weight of the groove
Rests on pillars
That were there before form

Before they kept time like rocks
There was sandstone to draw
Inspiration

Crumbling it's yield
At hordes yearning
For a gem
In the sand
To adorn the music with glass

The shard of busted bottle
Smooth with age
Rides deep in the pocket
Of a student
Not yet grown out of love

Polished by touch and memory
Next to the lint and sand
Collected walking
The trails of pillars
With the weight
Of the groove