THE LIFE OF A NOTE

THE LIFE OF A NOTE

A lone note hanging, suspended in air
Supported in the warmth of a violin’s care
The note carried through caressed by the strings
Encouraged by the enjoyment it brings

The note needs to grow it needs to belong
The oboe sends a companion along
Side by side the wood and the strings
An octave apart the harmony sings

Together they grow and higher they climb
Upward and outward in rhythm and time
The note needs a pulse and looks to the rear
The beat of a tympanum soothing and dear

Held up by the beat and melodically sound
The note spreads its wings and circles around
Larger and bolder the note has a heart
Stronger and louder the note torn apart

Half falls on the strings, the rest to the wind
The oboe takes refuge and his part rescinds
The one violin must now become four
Lest the weight of the note doth fall to the floor

This note made from string, percussion and wind
Transforms to a boisterous thunderous thing
The note gathers strength and courage and size
The note is a beast and there’s fire in the eyes

The timps are now crashing like waves on the shore
The note is a giant but still it grows more
Upward and upward the note carries on
Urged on by this-the conductors baton

The French Horns are calling the note to come down
The brave note reluctantly bows to the sound
Spiralling down from the heavens descends
Down to the depths from whence it began

The note undeterred by the premature call
Seizes a cello and bellows to all
The note a savage belligerent beast
Starving for instruments on which to feast

A beat from a tympanum solid and strong
Arrests the great note, his reign far too long
Weakened and beaten the note starts to die
Nothing left now but the gleam in its eye

The wind falls away, four strings become one
The majesty gone with the slow setting sun
A lone violin brings the note back to nest
The conductor now lays the note down to rest