Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Music Man
I hope this doesn't bum you guys out too much, but I've been going through some of my older writing (back to Grade One actually) and came across this piece.
When I was younger a friend of our family passed away from cancer. I didn't know him extremely well, that is to say I don't remember a lot about him now except he was taken too soon, as always seems the case.
Peter was a gentle family man, a musician who loved to sing and play guitar with his band. I wrote this a week before my 22nd birthday; it was really for his entire family but inspired by the emptiness I saw in his young daughter's eyes. I've always found writing to be therapeutic; I guess I wrote this to help me deal with seeing her like that, which if I'm honest upset me even more than his passing.
The Music Man
The music man appears on stage
The song begins to play,
The night burns on, each note each page
We know he's here to stay.
The people seemed happy for the chance
To watch him for a while
I felt his warmth shine as I danced
And saw it in his smile.
But tonight the stage is silent
The singer's now at rest,
There was one song yet to be played
And God made His request.
And now your eyes seem lifeless
As I look at you through mine,
A deep and dark cold emptiness
But a little light still shines.
For though he gave you love in life
And taught you how to care,
He brought some of the love you learned
To hold onto up there.
I still can hear his music;
In his music was his heart.
So if you can think of him and sing
You'll never be apart.
And though I know he left too soon
Please be strong my friend,
Because however beautiful the tune
Every song must end.
God Bless, Peter.
Photo credit here.
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Barry, you are truly gifted.
ReplyDeleteArranging words on paper means little unless they capture the heart and spirit of the moment. Sounds simple, but as is often the case, not so easy. One has to be attuned to the deeper, unspoken chords of life's song, and be able to capture its fleeting essence in a way to which the average person can relate.
It is the same with music. Although most of us aren't musically gifted, we can relate to the lilt of a tune or the chorus of a song because it speaks to our heart. It is the songsmith's gift that helps us communicate the unspoken, which we ourselves can't bring forth so eloquently.
The same is true of wordsmiths. And you are definitely in that special class. You bring to life the unspoken thoughts and words that we only wish that we could. But in reading your words, we feel uplifted and lighter, because your words and insights give life to our feelings. And in doing so, life seems a little less lonely...
This is so beautiful... no words can express how I felt after reading this Barry. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis was so well put. Congratulations for such a gift. Only few have the creative mind to write. Amazing and captivating.
ReplyDeletexo, Sophia
This makes me jealous lol...very good writing. WOW, I truly enjoyed reading it glad you decided to share with us :)
ReplyDeleteWow.. Barry. This is nice. Very sad to hear about your friend dying that young. It's not fair of course, but we all have to "walk that road" so to speak. I like your poems. Old or new I like them all. Just keep writing you have a stunning talent. :)
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