Lark Ascending

(In praise of Vaughan Williams, Welsh Composer)

a violin plays Vaughan Williams

it's four steel core strings

strung to Welsh perfection

vibrations of high pitched

notes float in spiral movement

as the reed bow sweeps low

then moves slowly upwards

imitating a lark, the messenger

of a brand new morning

rising above roof tops, above spires

higher on spanned feathered wings

avian beauty scaling the heights

ascending in circular flight

in blue sky above verdant green

fields of English countryside

close your weary eyes

transcend closer to the sleeping stars

soaring in new found freedom

far above the problematic earth

far from the troubles of the day

rebirth, there fly i

Reviews

[willweb]

I am not familiar with this musician but I am familiar with the person or persons who possess the talents that make us want to write about them. Your poem is a beautiful tribute to someone I am sure was an amazing violinist and every time I read something like this or hear a musician I wonder...how many are as talented but no one has ever heard of them. Loved your poem Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

A favorite piece of classical violin will, by the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. It truly is hypnotic and has me ascending with the lark. Good for the soul music. I am touched by your lovely review. Many thank yous.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

I have for many years found relief from the problems of everyday life through classical music. This offering shows how it can lift a person "like a lark ascending" away from the struggles and clashes, even in this troubled time. Of Vaughan Williams work, my favorite is the "Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis."

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. The piece you mention is my second favourite of his. You have great taste in classical. Most people haven:t got a clue who Vaughan Williams is :)

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I am reading the 4rth and 5th verses again and again. Such magic felt as the music becomes a lark rising up the English Countryside. I have never read music being described so enchantingly and this was a really surreal reading experience. Truly, dear Chris, a maestro's music can give us a new lease of life! I am simply awed by this equally divine rendition from your pen! Applause!

[Chris Shaw]

I am so pleased you enjoyed this poem Ditzy. I had been thinking about it for sometime, not sure whether it would work out or not. It truly is a beautiful piece of music that is incredibly relaxing. More treats for you, but remember to get some exercise or your mama will be telling me off :)) ................

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

This is absolutely one of your most unforgettable poems dear Chris! A perfect example of art coming out art. A thing of beauty is a joy forever they say and I add that it just goes on to create more beauty as you did here.
Don’t stop my treats my friend, as my cross-trainer was delivered today and I promise to be a good kitty and use it regularly! I'll work it all off!
😸
💕

[Chris Shaw]

Lol. Pleased I won't be held responsible for kitty Kat increasing in size. Thank you so much for all that praise. You are the kindest Kat as well as the most intelligent one I have ever come across:)

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I'm walking in air and so happy :)
Thanks dear Chris!

[.]

Music has an ethereal connection with the soul. It can sweep all the weary that clouds our mind. Your poem here is a poetic visual...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sima for leaving this delightful response. All good wishes. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Marina]

This one speaks to me of the power of music to allow us to transcend our little troubled world for just a moment and forget all the woes that we are enduring. I am not familiar with your aforementioned composer, but I do understand the soaring nature that orchestral strings can induce. It's the perfect music for our today's and your poem hits on a very relevant nerve in this covid weary world. I feel such music should be on high rotation. 💛

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Marina. I truly believe music has an important part to play, especially during covid days. Music for all moods, and this little piece is ideal for relaxation. Let's you float away. Wonderful. Many thank yous for your visit.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

Now that is simple beauty. Shut out all thought and emotions. Only hear, feel and let the music give you wings.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Cherrie. That fifteen minutes sends me soaring. We all need to escape every now and then. Keep safe and well dear poet.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I love music. Allow our mind to relax and know peace. I loved how you took me with you and I heard the sounds too. Thank you dear Chris for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. I am such an admirer of that piece of classical music. It is the only piece I know that can literally have me flying. Hope all is good with you. Take good care.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

All is good. Received first retirement check today. Officially semi-retired. I hope you are doing well, My Michigan is locked down again and the seven year grandchild was told. His school was closed again. Poor children losing so much. You are welcome dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Pity your grandchild is missing school. We are two weeks into lockdown but the schools are open. It is so hard for young people. Us older ones have more resilience. Nice for you to get that retirement check. You've earned it. Otherwise, we are plodding along like everyone else making the best out of a rotten year.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. USA will have great changes. I hope for the better. Yesterday was the worst day for viras. 12,000 dead. Very scary my friend. I have many game systems and we can go to the lake and parks still. I try to keep the three busy. Be safe my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Keeping busy and safe is the key. All good wishes.

[Lorry]

You've gotta pay attention up there Chris in case you bump into the roof of the inside of the globe we live inside.. ( I bet that's the first review today to give you that bit of advice!) ☺️
Wwhen music makes us float, it is because unseen, itdebags us of all our problems and armour to deflect others, making us the equivelant of a human Cadburys chocolate mousse. (again, another review comment first)
Oh oh! She's found the skylight, opened it and kept floating 🧚‍♀️

[Chris Shaw]

You know Lorry music can make such a difference to mood. Lark Ascending is short, only 15minutes or so, but it is the only piece of music that gets me into an almost trance like state :) No worries about bumping my head, I am already up there out of danger :) Hope you are doing ok. I see you maybe going into lockdown too.

Chris

[Lorry]

Yeah, most of the central belt to level 4, elsewhere all up a level. Have had more daily deaths the past week than we did at its height.
Hopefully Santa doesn't get it or they'll be lots of grumpy children... Of Al ages 😆

[Chris Shaw]

Not good is it? Two weeks in to lockdown here. Finding lots to do in the house and garden, but I do miss people. Got a feeling Christmas is going to be cancelled. Look after yourself. Keep safe.

[Lorry]

Comes into effect 6pm Friday, level four. I'll still be in level 3 and travelling only within that level, so no real change, but judging by deaths, full country lock down will not be far away.
Here's hoping some kind of normal soon, eh? Normal will most likely look very weird indeed when we get back to it.
And remember, Must ask Santa in your letter this year to wear a face mask 🎅

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Wow this took me to Romeo and Juliet...
"the lark, the herald of the morn" and such foreboding...
and yet their suicides gave them a newfound freedom to love in the afterlife.
such peace on their faces as they are carried to the burial chamber.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

There I was soaring in the heights not a care in the world and you bring me Romeo and Juliet. I just love the different way people engage with poetry. Thank you Jacob.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha...well, Chris...what did Juliet say?
" a poem by any other name would smell as sweet"-----

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I envy you being able to fly above what is happening in our world today....
I seem grounded.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Try listening to the Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. Sit on your comfy sofa, close your eyes, with Hank on your lap and for fifteen minutes take off. I'll meet you up there :))

[iliOZ]

dear Chris.
thank you for this wonderful violin concerto, i am glad i was in the neighborhood.
all i can say, bravo maestro, i enjoyed it very much...yet probably not as much you did performing it
thank you

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you iliOZ. This little piece of classical is so uplifting. Always puts me in a trance like state it does. Needless to say I am a huge fan of this composer. Hope you are doing ok.

Chris

[iliOZ]

i am doing well my friend, wish you well

[Amber Stone]

such a delicate, soft and clever music-belle arts-piece, thank U Christine for these lovely poem, for the images and the beauty you share with, the beauty of the announcement of a brand new day. thank U for the magical rhythmic melody of your poem, for evoking this ways the Britain countryside landscapes and the 3-verses-structured-stanzas/strophes...i really loved and enjoyed it, ..my favorite structure in prose. thank U Christine for your humble and kind delivery sharing this lovely artwork with us. sincerely, Amber.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Amber, thank you so much for your detailed and well considered review. I am delighted to have you visit.

Chris