Chords, Strands and Keys

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo

With immutable feet capering about 'pon a carpet of bliss.

Always a direct hit, neary a miss.

The nautical notes reverberate their guiding, heartfelt kiss.

Whisking away to where spirit roams free.

Saving me from me.

Who'd have thought that mere fingers could elicit such Eden from the great abyss?

Thank the good Lord for eternity ...

... at least I have this ...

Author's Note

“What is there in music that it should so stir our deeps? We are all ordinarily in a state of desperation; such is our life; ofttimes it drives us to suicide. To how many, perhaps to most, life is barely tolerable, and if it were not for the fear of death or of dying, what a multitude would immediately commit suicide! But let us hear a strain of music, we are at once advertised of a life which no man had told us of, which no preacher preaches. Suppose I try to describe faithfully the prospect which a strain of music exhibits to me. The field of my life becomes a boundless plain, glorious to tread, with no death nor disappointment at the end of it. All meanness and trivialness disappear. I become adequate to any deed. No particulars survive this expansion; persons do not survive it. In the light of this strain there is no thou nor I. We are actually lifted above ourselves.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

like Dhara....so many poems come to me while listening to music....i love this poem because music is what has gotten me this far in life...it has been the soundtrack for me through good and bad...
it's within me...i have always loved to sing and dance to it....and live my life to it as well.
as the song said "i got the music in me"
and you have poetry in you, Pete.
really good write.
j.

[Pete]

thanks j. ... :)

[R.E. Ray]

Pete, an ideal Hugo quote to setup the poem. The image and your poem transport us, beyond lyrics and instruments to a place where our spirit and mind can drift in peace. You've accomplished much with a few well-crafted lines. I say well done, Pete!

[Pete]

thank you for letting this whisk you away r.e. - that is what music does after all ... :)

[emmajoy]

There are times when Thoreau's shadow sits close and talks straight at one. Has now, reading the above deep yet understandable thoughts guide one into a calm glide of contentment. That's what music does: wakes up the senses, excites, charms, saddens, reminds..fades and more. Your words echo too, Pete; are reaching a place where the music never stops. What key you have is golden. Thanks you so much for adding the video too, reminds me of our darling brother.

Listened so far, then could hear him trying to sing along! Out of the day comes a musical memory. See!!! "

[Pete]

thank you em. it touches us like nothing else - unlocking what lies inside. may it never end. now you're singing my song. i appreciate your thoughts on the matter. all i can say is encore! ... :)

[emmajoy]

Yes, always: encore'

[Chris Shaw]

I can't imagine my life without music. Whatever my situation or mood, there is music. It has the capacity to lift me to magical heights or drag me to the depths of the ocean. Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams is a classical piece where I become that lark. There are pieces which make me want to kick my shoes off and dance for sheer joy. And there are pieces like Elgar's cello concerto for the days where I want to mourn and sink to the ocean floor. And then there is all the other stuff in all its variety which transports me back to the past that can make me smile. Can make me laugh or even bring on a sad moment. My days are music filled and that blends very well with poetry. Your poem hits the spot and informs why music is so important. Yes, it has the power to save lives without any question of doubt. I really like where you took me with this poem Pete. Music plays on the emotions and does it so well. Super poem.

Chris

[Pete]

indeed it does - love your shared, melodic thoughts. keep listening, keep singing and keep dancing. keep a song in your heart and you can't go wrong. as william congreve said, "'Music has charms to soothe the savage breast." ... :)

[John the Baptist]

The poem dovetails nicely with the Thoreau quote. While I have never had a mystical experience while listening to music, sometimes Corelli, Vivaldi and Handel have moved me very deeply. There is indeed something about music that can lift you out, if for only a moment, from the daily grind.

[Pete]

thanks for chiming in j. the b. keep a song in your heart and you'll never go wrong ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I can't leave my house without turning on my Bose for my cats! Getting a job in a record store in the eighties really turned my life around...for the better!

[Pete]

lucky cats. can't go wrong with music. thank you kelly ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Any predictions on the Superbowl?

[Pete]

two terrific teams. could go either way. should be a great game. do you know who's doing the halftime show?

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I always write with classical music on. Sometimes poems come to me while listening to a piece. I agree that music is so important to writers and everyone here on earth.

[Pete]

keep it up dhara ... :)

[AYVID N]

"Whisking away to where spirit roams free.
Saving me from me."

A great tribute to music Pete. It inspires, uplifts, soothes and heals...yes it often saves me from myself. Thank you for this poem.

[Pete]

what you say all true divya. dance on ... :)

[Fran Marie]

Indeed what a sad world
it would be if not for music
even at your lowest point
just to listen to a few strands can be so uplifting
and change ones mood instantly...nice one Pete
I enjoyed..

[Pete]

right-o. with a song in our hearts, nothing can drag us down. thanks fran! ... :)

[Fran Marie]

true indeed
your re welcome