If The Music Can... (2013)

A Tribute To Don McLean--An American Original.

                 Can music save your mortal soul?

                                           -Don McLean

   I.

If the music can--with the simplest tune--

   Extract a man from a world of gloom--

Then assert your hand--making the darkness swoon--

   As we stand, singing melodies by light of the moon.

   II.

If music can save your mortal soul--

   As I believe it can--

Then let it be a portal so--

   We may channel it again and again--

   III.

Let it swell and let it grow--

   Challenging the mind and hand--

With love and devotion--

   With an ability to understand.

   IV.

If the music can make a strong man cry--

   And with another key, help dry your eyes--

Then may the music never die--

   But forever remain one of our greatest allies.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I had to do some research, so I could be more aware of the totality of DM's repertoire. The biggest surprise is finding out he & Judy Collins co-wrote "Send in the Clowns"! I also read more of his lyrics from unfamiliar songs, so I can see how you describe DM's poetic songwriting here with clear admiration on your part! I have also felt much fondness toward various musical artists & I love the idea of writing a poem for a favorite (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wesley Dingler]

Awesome. I actually list Don McLean as one of my poetic influences. He just seemed like a poet with a guitar to me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Don McLean, a good influence...I heard "American Pie" a bit too much and tired of it a bit.although i do remember being devastated when Buddy Holly , Big Bopper and Richie Valens all died in the plane crash that night ..but "Vincent" and "Castles in the Air" i can't hear enough.
i relate to this poem because two things got me through so many hard times...Music and a warped sense of humor...
love the rhyme scheme.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

These words are so true. Music is such an important part of life, and you have expressed it so well.

[Wesley Dingler]

Thank you so much. You know, i'm finding it more and more difficult to find people my age who "recall what was revealed the day the music died."
tisk-tisk
these dang youngsters.

ah crap, i'm starting to sound like my father now.

")

[Cherrie Palmer]

Oh that's just the start of it. Wait until you catch yourself in the mirror at a fast glance and see him looking back.

[Wesley Dingler]

Now you're starting to scare me.
If you want me, I'll be under my bed.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Take a flash light with ya.

[Jade]

SO POETIC, I really loved this write, Love Don Mclean
this is true though, music will never die.

[Wesley Dingler]

You just keep getting awesomer and awesomer.
Yes I know that isn't a word, but oh well.
I'm always happy to meet a fellow fan of old McLean. Especially nowadays, since almost everything he sang in American Pie has come to a head, and reeling backwards.

[Wesley Dingler]

I list McLean as one of my top poetry influences. To me, he was a poet with a guitar.