Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau

Walking with Jesus the slow,

behind the beat. Mr. Resistance.

Mr. Ohm, Mr. Exactly Lame.

By some reluctance, some

restraint, if it be a restraint,

by some undertow and stutter,

the halt and lame can strut.

You can hear it yourself. Buy

a few records and think how big

a bass is to a small boy,

his fingers bleeding to grow deft.

Bandages are for amateurs

and they blur the tone, that habit

a bassist and his bass conspire,

the way a couple learns a stride

though the man's taller by a foot.