Charlie Parker looked like Buddha Charlie Parker, who recently died Laughing at a juggler on the TV After weeks of strain and sickness, Was called the Perfect Musician. And his expression on his face Was as calm, beautiful, and profound As the image of the Buddha Represented in the East, the lidded eyes The expression that says "All Is Well" This was what Charlie Parker Said when he played, All is Well. You had the feeling of early-in-the-morning Like a hermit's joy, or Like the perfect cry of some wild gang At a jam session, "Wail, Wop" Charlie burst his lungs to reach the speed Of what the speedsters wanted And what they wanted Was his eternal Slowdown.