ABV

Sold-out theatre: "Excuse me, excuse me, my seat's there – ."
Maynard Ferguson – "I saw him perform!" someone exclaims –
shakes house speakers,
and the hall's human contents,
like ice and liquid in a stainless shaker.

The atmosphere shifts:
Hooting, untethered applause.
Those of the prior century rise in giddiness.
There he is! There is is!

Though small from the Grand Tier,
we can make out his trademark specs.
And his voice, unmistakable.

In front of his trusty standing desk:
he holds graduated cylinder in one hand,
and cocktail makings in the shaker,
tackles a finger-endangering
metal ice tray, fearless, Band-Aid-less.

Our host is here for the duration.
Molasses and cephalopods
back story and true crime.
It's all included.
Alton Brown Vignettes
– ABV, if you will –
Alton Brown in (Full) Volume

Measure for measure,
whether artist or cook,
scientist or blow hard,
or videographer or stand-up,
he's full strength.