Gymnopedie

This Lyrical poem inspired by Erik Satie's Gymnopedie #1 This song has always haunted me from the first time I heard it. I wrote the first 8 lines about 5 years ago and could never finish until now.

Gymnopedie no. 1

I remember 

that smile on her face

Basking delight 

In the warmth of its grace

Watched as the breeze

whisked and danced with her hair

Promising ease 

from all earthly despair

I remember 

that smile on her face

Now that times passed

can scarcely recall

What it was like

but to warrant enthrall

Sigh with unease

that my heart can still care

Time can’t appease

she’ll no longer be there

© 2024 Robert Trakofler

Robert · Gymnopedie

Author's Note

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Poignant write. When someone we love is no longer on this earth, it is difficult to accept. The images on our mind and heart never dim. The feelings they evoked remain strong. Such haunting music to accompany your words, Robert. Just lovely. Lydi*

[Robert Trakofler]

Thank you:)

[Crowley]

Haunting music. Nice to hear your voice reading your work as well. The tone of the music and the piece are a great match. It's like a period piece of steroids in both cases. wonderful!

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Crowley, I spent so much time on this one:) it sat on my back burner for a long time Satie has that effect on you

[apennylate]

Well well well... I do seem to remember you.
Despite the utter trauma and bitter derailment of my life the last couple years...
I remember good things, and from this writing... I would not care if you had poured boiling oil all over my body to incite pagan rituals in the forest deep...
I would still love this.
Impeccable movement of syllable sound, and if it be an ode of inspiration, than inspired it resounds.
Music.
Drive.
Flow.
Ice.
A spark.
Thanks...

[Robert Trakofler]

Holy smokes how are you? I can’t remember your old name:/ you did change it right? Weren’t you teaching somewhere I don’t know my brain has been put thru a blender

[apennylate]

I do not even remember my old name, mate...
Your brain and I, both.
I have taught, and been taught in this life.
Wish the teaching could end and I simply float into the mists of eternity...

[Betty Hermelee]

losing a loved one and going through grief is so difficult and heart-wrenching..... memories will prevail and that should ease the internal struggle; but there will be moments like these where flashes of her will warm your heart... Lovely,
Warmly, B

[Robert Trakofler]

Hey Betty:) now this is going to sound very strange but I keep a list of the ones that I have lost and loved and I mean everyone from grand parents to great uncles to old friends and old lovers... I have a fairly regular(usually when i feel the specter of depression coming on) exercise where i try to conjure their faces and hear their voices even a smell that reminds me of them. I know its odd but it comforts me and it reminds me of who I am and why I am... who I am:)

[Betty Hermelee]

I think that is a wonderful idea Robert….a pleasure always
Warmly, B

[Einstein Noodle]

i especially like the first 4 couplets .. so smooth .. i also am touched by the sad refrains in closing .. yes .. such a loss is not appeased at all .. especially in the sigh i feel right now :((
E.

[Robert Trakofler]

for that (sigh) I am sorry at least we get to see the scene of the wind dancing with her hair once and a while my old friend

[emmajoygreen]

Not only have you offered wistful, sincere and wonderful phrases, Bunny, but added one of my very favourite pieces of music that offers almost a tidal effect and - forgive this, literally washes over one's feeling when parted from someone precious. Dear you, many thanks for sharing everything here

[Robert Trakofler]

Those “couplets” were what the song said to me:/ if you climb down the rabbit hole (as us bunnies tend to do) you will read so much conjecture as to what he was saying in (particularly Gymnopedie no.1) but I believe that it was inspired by the aforementioned poem as they were both published at the same time and in the same journal:/ if you dive into the poem and ponder the words it is about the macro being reduced to the the micro and seeing the connectedness of the moment in the movement

[emmajoygreen]

will dive the morrow..

[Delmar Cooper]

I have always listened to this music as if it were some exercise deliberately undertaken by by a dedicated pupil, each key hit with the proper force until miraculously it emerges from a cocoon in splendor.

So I found the poem - simple , them emergent. Lovely work sir . Thank you.

[Robert Trakofler]

It is, just that sort of music Delmar:) that is where the notes took me:)

[Neville]

Robert, you are indeed a very Bad Bunny .. the combination of art forms you have laid here for those of us who pass by to enjoy would be very difficult to beat or better .. I sincerely take my hat off to you, your voice a piano and a pen .. what a way to welcome in a new Saturday morning .. Neville

[Robert Trakofler]

it is remarkable just how many artist have been inspired by (and inspired Satie) many people have made variations to this song and many have used it in films and plays he is widely considered to be the father of meditative music he was also reputed to have inspired many of the impressionist painters of his time

[Neville]

........................ a seriously cool dude :)

[Ken Simm.]

One of my all time favourite pieces of music and such a delight to play on my flute. As is this tribute to it. A stunning piece of love impressionist poetry to go with and then far beyond the Satie. And I love the Debussy orchestrations as well.

[Robert Trakofler]

That is a great song for flute! The fun thing I found was how much the melody fit the framework for the couplets with the exception of one notes difference in the stanzas it has been widely stated that his catharsis for the song came from a poem and ironically I decided to make his song into a lyrical poem lol

[Ken Simm.]

One two and three greek dancers

[Robert Trakofler]

some times I think I'm clever... and then I talk to you LOL Oblique et coupant l’ombre un torrent éclatant
Ruisselait en flots d’or sur la dalle polie
Où les atomes d’ambre au feu se miroitant
Mêlaient leur sarabande à la gymnopédie

[Robert Trakofler]

well the irony for me is I had no idea however many years ago... that this song was inspired by a poem only to find that his song inspired my poem LOL

[jacob erin-cilberto]

once we work through the pyschological hurt to the heart...we can finish those thoughts that
had been left suspended.
So glad you were able to finish this at last, brother bunny.
Hope you are well, my friend.
j.

[Robert Trakofler]

That is exactly what happened to me with this write:) it’s funny all of this time it was on my unfinished list that thought never occurred to me lol