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John Zheng

Sensation

after Franz Kline’s oil painting “Hot Jazz”

Pour into the shaker two ounces of whiskey, one ounce of Italian vermouth, one dash of orange bitters, add some ice cubes, shake, then strain the cocktail into two chilled glasses garnished with strawberries. Now clink. When rhythm starts to swing—bent and blue, shake your body and soul until they jazz into one response—Hot.

summer breeze
the singer curves around
the mic stand

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About the Author

John Zheng’s haibun and tanbun have appeared in various journals, including Arkansas Review, cho, Crab Orchard Review, Poetry East, Southern Quarterly, Drifting Sands, and Ribbons. He lives in the Mississippi Delta.