Those were the lessons
of the most lovely song . . .
the voice lugged by handle
worn to wire's skeletal curve
through loft overlooking pews'
dim lines and one red jewel
of everlasting light.
In that holy place,
for months I rubbed
the same phrases,
trying to wing life
from box and strings,
taught by a woman
refined, perseverant,
and indefinably sad.
But I was little more than eleven
and could not reach.
of the most lovely song . . .
the voice lugged by handle
worn to wire's skeletal curve
through loft overlooking pews'
dim lines and one red jewel
of everlasting light.
In that holy place,
for months I rubbed
the same phrases,
trying to wing life
from box and strings,
taught by a woman
refined, perseverant,
and indefinably sad.
But I was little more than eleven
and could not reach.
I like this very much. I am drawn especially to the "one red jewel of everlasting light." The poem is graced throughout, but I cherish that description especially. (I also like "perseverant" -- being fresher, more unexpected, than "persevering.")
ReplyDeleteI wonder about "reach," though. Might there be another word? I don't know why I'm qualmish about "reach"; it seems a bit easy, I guess.
Also, I clicked on the "music" tag below the post, and discovered other felicities I had missed! So I am doubly grateful!
Thank you, Tom! Yes, I've been wondering about "reach," too. I'll have to think of something.
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