My poor soul
and her love
for wild things
while always held back
by my human fear
and caution, by
my aging frame and
ever milder disposition.
Music is the thing; it
draws my soul out with
its harmonious tones.
A song I love
enters my ears,
spiraling down
to my heart chamber,
reaching my soul there
where she lives.
The chorus comes in
and she hears the
round, pearly notes;
she strings them together
as a necklace
around her throat.
She grabs my hands
and we move in time
to the beat, we
sway to the rhythm
of her wildness.
And she smiles
and I smile,
or I cry
and she cries.
And her voice
and my voice
both sing along.
Music and souls.
Both are wild,
both are tender,
neither can be seen
in the mirror.
Neither can be touched
with the span
of a human hand;
both transcend
place and race,
age and gender.
© Sherri Brannon
Music has always been one of the joys of my life, from the time I was a little girl (thank you, Dad). With it, I can endure so many things. It empowers me to keep going. It helps me dig down deep and find the roots of things. With music in my ears, birds flying across the blue sky seem ten times more beautiful.
Sometimes I search for a song that will sing in time with my pain, like putting on rain and then listening. Other times, a song will make my heart burst and unfold with gladness. With music, I can dance my way out of the dark, close my eyes and dream, smile through grateful tears...it helps me through so many things.
Many thanks to the music of BTS. Their deep, meaningful lyrics have inspired me in recent months - I’m writing more poetry than I’ve written in a very long time. Great music always does that.
"both transcend
ReplyDeleteplace and race,
age and gender."....This is so true. It's a feeling beyond language. Love your notes too, specially, "Sometimes I search for a song that will sing in time with my pain, like putting on rain and then listening." Beautiful.
Beautifully written
ReplyDeleteMusic speaks to the spirit in ways only the right sort of art can. It awakens, it soothes, the shapes us, it reminds us to slowdown, it nudges us forward... it finds our souls when we can.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely.
Music is such a gift. I love how you are a mix of wildness and caution. I am, too. Loved this poem, love the smiling together and, at times, the crying together, as you danced.
ReplyDeleteI love music too... and the way it can really dig itself and nest inside, a warm feeling or the sense of building strength for compassion...
ReplyDeleteLove the way you make the joy tactile in the way you describe the music. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a passionate poem 💜 I too love music and adore the lines: "And she smiles and I smile, or I cry and she cries.
ReplyDeleteAnd her voice and my voice both sing along." Beautiful! 💜
Marvelous descriptions of inner life, and this:
ReplyDelete"Music and souls.
Both are wild,
both are tender,
neither can be seen
in the mirror."
Ah, music and souls - both are wild. You have really captured so much of why one lives music in these verses! Bravo.
ReplyDeleteMusic tells us stories that can make us both sad and happy or excited or cross with the notes that are the words we feel. What a beautiful poem you have writtem Sherri.
ReplyDeleteYou've infused this wonderful piece with a mesmeric, cadence. This poem stirs the soul, with wonderful words: straight-from-the-heart of a music lover.
ReplyDeleteYou and your soul seem to dance through the poem ... to the music.
ReplyDeleteI love the lines:
ReplyDelete'Music and souls.
Both are wild,
both are tender,
neither can be seen
in the mirror'.
Music can change everything, I cannot imagine being without it. Memory triggers, emotions.
ReplyDelete