Somewhere, Softly, a Band is Playing

Somewhere, softly, a band is playing

A gentle, lilting tune

Notes strung like lovers embraced

Under a darkening moon

 

Winding, writhing, intertwining

A slow crescendo gains

To fortississimo

The melody unchained

 

Somewhere, softly, a band is playing

As dancers twirl about a floor

Step in step, they match the tempo-

The crescendo builds once more

 

Somewhere, softly, a band is playing

And a staccato cry is heard

As a babe draws first breath

And wails it to the world

 

Somewhere, softly, a band is playing

A tired man breathes his last;

Past judgment, past reprieve,

Until he too is only past

 

Somewhere, still, a band is playing

In a place that knows no death

Where the people there have no fear

Of a shuddering final breath

Across the universe, a band softly plays

A thrumming cosmic tune

That softly resonates the stars,

The planets, and their moons

 

On and on plays the tune of life

From this galactic symphony

Reaching on throughout the void

To touch both you, and me

Reviews

[Emerald Seas]

Oh - very well done, CI. I really enjoy the tone and rhythm to this poem. Cadence and rhyme are subtle, which adds a richness that is hard to explain. Last two lines bring it in to a more personal level. Excellent.