As Simple As That

The pleasure we feel in music springs from the obedience which is in it. - Thoreau

it's truth and religion

more than a smidgen

it's mahavishnu

for all we do

for all we go through

spanning the great abyss

always a direct hit

neary a miss

a sweet caress and a warm kiss

bringing people together

no matter life's weather

crossing a great divide

in and out with the tide

i can't live without music

not without its wide-brimmed, shielding hat

it's as simple as that

thumping, pumping and humping

the bass so cool you need a sweater

the lead guitar wailing

sailing

scaling

unveiling

prevailing

the percussion saving me with chest compressions

unmitigated cymbals crashing and thrashing

cantabile singing liberating like a mellisonant, emancipation proclamation

chanting

panting

recanting

bestowing and granting

along with a ghostly, haunting organ of remembrance from the past

a spinning whirlwind

elevating my spirit beyond the present

into a far-out realm of existence

giving me hope

helping me cope

shooting me up with melodious dope

fingers and souls flying everywhere

along with fibrillating speaker blare

no better way to share

notes both sharp and flat

it's as simple as that

no

i can't live without music

not without the freakin' ratatat

so deal with that

potent and virile

taking me home

with its welcome mat

swearing an eclectic, electric creed

it's what i need

it's what i bleed

hypnotizing

mesmerizing

proselytizing

fertilizing

it's where it's at

as simple as that

Author's Note

"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." - Thoreau

"A strain of music reminds me of a passage of the Vedas, and I associate with it the idea of infinite remoteness, as well as of beauty and serenity, for to the senses that is farthest from us which addresses the greatest depth within us. It teaches us again and again to trust the remotest and finest as the divinest instinct, and makes a dream our only real experience." - Thoreau

"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]

Rock and roll has been the soundtrack of my life...It has been there for me from the time it began in the mid-fifties.
45's, albums...transistor radio....
it's been there for me...
I could not have survived this long had it not been there.
rock, folk, blues, soul...all part of me.
I am dancing to this poem, thank you.
j.

[Pete]

music is humanity. something for everyone, every age, every mood, every feeling, every emotion like a magic potion. awesome share j. keep dancing my friend ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

I am a huge lover of music all different genres. I’m don’t care much for the new rap but 80s and 90s was good. Huge metal fan along with alternative, blues and the list goes on

[Pete]

same with me. the 80's and 90's music i grew up listening to is classic for me but i too like different genres. thanks for the share ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

It all depends on my mood

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too my friend. Music is my muse. Keep my mind working and flowing. I enjoyed your words and thoughts. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Pete]

thank you for sharing coyote. i guess i am not alone in feeling that way about it. keep listening ... :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I do my friend and you are welcome.

[Chris Shaw]

From an early age I would dance with my Dad to his choice. Plenty of jazz and then rock and roll. Then along came the Beatles and I never looked back after that. There is music for every occasion. It's on all the time when I am at home and even when driving it's still on. Your poem made me stop and pause. Where would I be without my music. Well Pete, I certainly wouldn't be in a happy place. Good to read this and understand how music can alter our mood and give us a lift.

Chris

[Pete]

well music is the universal language after all. whenever i write about it i find that many can identify with it. i feel the same way as you relate. there is music for every occasion and a size for everyone. thanks chris ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Pete :)

[Addict With a Pen]

I find myself in a different world when I'm listening to good music. This is such a fun read! A fast pace poem that feels like talking to someone who loves life, because music really does that, makes us feel amazing. I feel the most like myself when I'm driving down the freeway and blasting my music. It can be a personal experience or, like you said, it can bring people together. The flow and hyper energy of this poem makes me smile. I hope you were listening to something amazing when you were writing this. Really great piece, and yes, it's as simple as that!

[Pete]

i'm exactly the same way. music is an escape or can emphasize life with something for every mood, feeling and emotion. wherever we need to go it will get us there. awesome share. thanks A with a P ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

A well composed poem as a well composed music piece in many genres. I think poetry, lyrics and music have the power to connect, to introspect, to heal and protect. Awesome.

[Pete]

thank you sami. you've got it. i think that music is a manifestation of the soul - the ultimate expression, touching like little else can. it can take one anywhere they desire to go in feeling, emotion, spirit. great share ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are so right. You are welcome sir.

[Pete]

i will visit soon ... :)

[barleygirl]

This is a truly inspired piece of writing, plus an extra-generous heaping-on of Thoreau! Wow! You musta been on fire when you dished this up! I agree that music is "all that" -- & hardly anyone has ever summed it up in as lively a way. One is dragged in & immersed & never let go for a good long stint of razz-a-ma-tazz! All your wordplay is off the charts, humming in your usual fashion, but heaped up to an ever-more galactic extent! There isn't a dull line in here! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

wow! kindness off the charts. you truly don't miss a thing - so thorough. you have a sharp eye and a receptive heart. your thoughts are uplifting. thank you margie ... :)

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! music can and does all that for sure. your video choice could not be better fit and vice versa .. mesmerizing ... i especially appreciate your poem dealing with the instrumentation the way your do and this line: "the percussion saving me with chest compressions" is killer says i! i don't think its possible to sing and/or dance and remain in a negative state ... going to try and keep this one with me today ... singing and dancing :)
E.

[Pete]

i love how you relate e. - don't see how anyone could listen and not be moved. trust me, you will never go wrong with a song in your heart - food for the soul. keep singing and dancing into eternity ... :)

[Einstein Noodle]

you too brother! all day long! :)

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of a rap song. Music is a universal language that can bring people together. Corelli and Vivaldi both touch something deep within me.

[Pete]

great share j. the b. they don't sing at churches for nothing. what better way to elevate oneself and praise existence. it is divine. thank you ... :)

[SheIsMe]

I absolutely relate. You nailed it with
"giving me hope
helping me cope
shooting me up with melodious dope"
It is why I listen also. To a variety of different genres. Great write!

[Pete]

you've got that "write" (pun intended) what a great share.

"Listen to music religiously, as if it were the last strain you might hear."

thanks ... :)