Music flows from me, speaks
soul to souls who hear.
Lips fit, sends brother's breath
ushered through metal chambers,
air shaped to sound, bounced
against ears, language
shared, notes
to receive.
Your notes use letters
strung to words,
widen gulfs.
Mine are kind, know
no bounds,
sing to all,
draw all
into a circle of sound.
(My music awareness started as my older brother played his alto sax. He got good as I turned to writing to 'spress myself. He opened my ears, though, to the powerful pull of music which kicked off my teenage years. It was the early 60's and the times they were a changin.)
This was sparked by the prompt "OUR Music" by Stuart McPherson over at dVerse Poets. Check it out.
JOURNEY INTO ELDERHOOD: It's a journey with many stops along the way and enriched by the people I meet. So, stop in and visit. You're welcome...
What a wonderful way to describe this instrument! 'brothers breath ushered through metal chambers'- that is very cool. Really like this because it shows a musical heritage passed down....perfect example of the power of music in terms of memory creation....and look just how much you remember- not just in terms of imagery- but emotion
ReplyDeleteIt was a strong memory- together with a mental picture of my brother stretched out on the rug in front of the hifi listening to his music with his eyes closed. Made me eager for music to grab me like that.
Deletelove how your music in the end brings people together in a circle..music will def do that if we let it...music as language shared and notes received...i like the play on words in that...
ReplyDeleteMy time came a couple of years after my brother but he modeled being utterly captured by it.
DeleteMusic is like oxygen many days.
ReplyDeleteGood analogy. Yes.
DeleteLovely write, and the photo at the top is absolutely breathtaking!
ReplyDeletehttp://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/when-the-music-stops/
The photo is a view from my balcony in Italy and always sparks gratitude.
DeleteI loved the poem. I really do love the sax. Music is a great gift.
ReplyDeleteSuch a mellow instrument.
DeleteIt is extraordinary how nostalgic music can make us - and indeed, poetry about music. I have enjoyed all the responses to this prompt.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by this image flooding back from 53 years ago.
DeleteLanguage of the heart, either through your brother's sax, or through your words.
ReplyDeleteNice way to look at it, Ruth.
DeleteThis is wonderful, Mary. I'm so glad to see you writing poetry again, and bringing it to the Pub.
ReplyDeleteBubbled up and there it was!
DeleteBeautiful...
ReplyDeleteGrazie.
Delete