Monthly Archives: September 2020

When I Am Old #Poem

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When I am old,
I will only be old
to those younger than I am,
unless I’m still in chronic pain,
which makes me old already.

When I am old,
I will have some leisure time
to smell the wild huckleberries,
pick what I need,
and bake pies to share.

When I am old,
I won’t see the cumulonimbus clouds passing,
but I will sense them
as I sense everything.
I will learn their secrets.

When I am old,
I will sit on the porch
that I don’t have yet,
enjoying the verdant Springtime.
The grass is always greener after Winter.

When I am old,
I will still take in life
like a new spice market.
Because old or not, pain or pleasure,
I am here!

When I am old
and my candlelight grows dim,
I will reflect on my life.
It’s not polished to perfection like antique brass,
But… it… is… good!

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #37, When I’m Old.

I’m glad this didn’t turn out to be a sad poem!

A Simple Gift #Poem

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Play or download the poem, accompanied by lyre, one of the oldest known stringed instruments.

Download Mp3

When you feel broken, you can mend.
When you have fallen, take these wings.
They carry you on weightless strings,
For music is a trusted friend.

As notes and words and voices blend,
Your soul is free and mind is clear.
Your heart refuses now to fear.
In time your body knows the wealth
Of perfect love and joyous health
From Spirit’s music given here.

—
This is a Décima for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 22 (BLEND) This week, it’s the A rhyme line.

I’ve been reading some of the responses for weeks and finally decided to try writing one! I really enjoyed it!

This bass line and chord progression are the same ones I used in
Song of the Bluefin Tuna,
but different accompaniment and rhythm change the mood. 🙂

See You in Court #SixSentenceStories

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“The courtroom gallery is packed
To bursting!” So they say.
It feels just like a circus
Throughout the trial day.
I promise now to tell the truth.
To you it might sound fruity.
I really want to sit and serve
A term of jury duty!

—
Written for
#SixSentenceStories: Gallery.

Do let me know in the comments if you’ve ever had jury duty and, dare I say, whether you liked it(?) 🙂

The Water Is Wide #Music

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Here is another traditional melody often used in harp therapy sessions. It is a Scottish folk song, first published in 1906. Though its lyrics are not the happiest, as they tell the story of a lost or unhappy love affair, the melody is calming and well-known. I hope you enjoy hearing it played on lyre!

Song of the Bluefin Tuna #Poem

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Play or download the poem with zither accompaniment.

Download Mp3

I opened up a can one day
And heard a chilling song,
Lamenting how our human wants
Have done the tuna wrong.

It sang, “You fish and fish for me,
When you have had enough,
For something you call sushi
And that other money stuff.

“I keep the balance in the sea
Atop the chain of food.
I dive with such quicksilver speed,
Fins flashing as I move.

“I’m not a goldfish in a bowl;
The ocean is my home.
I live on up to 40 years,
In breezy mists to roam.

“So, when you eat your tuna,
Because I know you will,
Take time to give a little thanks,
A moment to be still.

“The red rock desert of your heart
Is where it all begins.
Expand yours like my ocean home
Of harmony within.

“Take what you need and nothing more,
And let the others live.
Though we may be endangered still,
You understand the gift.”

I listened to the tuna’s song,
And then I bowed my head
To thank the Lord for blessing me
With tuna fish and bread.

—
For Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #36, Endangered Species,
with bluefin tuna facts from
World Wildlife Fund.

“Shenandoah” DSE #5 #Music

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You’re probably familiar with the beautiful traditional tune, “Shenandoah.” Though its exact origin is unknown, it may have originated with French Canadian fur traders. Some versions are also linked to cavalry men, mountain men, riverboat men, and soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. Whatever its origins, “Shenandoah” is one of the most recognizable American folk songs.

In this arrangement, I play the melody on my 22-string zither (also called a lap harp or plucked psaltery) and harmony on my 22-string lyre. One instrument for each hand allows free access to all 22 strings.

I’ve heard some beautiful harp arrangements of this song. However, unless it is a large floor harp with 34 strings or more, the hands may run into each other while playing. This is eliminated when each hand has its own full set of strings.

“Shenandoah” is the fifth in my series of
double strung experiments,
preparing for a double strung harp. The harp is the same idea, except it is designed and built with two rows of strings on a single instrument. This means that eventually, I won’t need to hold two instruments on my lap, not to mention trying to tune them in perfect unison!

I hope you enjoy this arrangement, and that you’re having a safe and happy Labor Day!

Battle Hymn of the Republic #Music

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In the United States, this Civil War era hymn is known as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” In other countries, it is better known as “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” The abolitionist Julia Ward Howe wrote the lyrics in 1861, to the tune “John Brown’s Body.” Howe is my maiden name, and I’ve always wondered if she was a distant ancestor of mine. I don’t know, but I do hope you enjoy hearing this hymn played on lyre!

Have a happy, healthy, and safe Labor Day weekend!

Positive Sentience #Poem

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Can you see me?
Not just with your eyes,
but with your awareness?

Your eyes do not dictate, do not judge.
In fact, they don’t even see on their own.
Everything happens in the mind.

Your perception sees,
experiences, takes in,
and the mind creates your opinions.

Remember: You are sentient!
You are free
to perceive good if, when, and where you choose.

Yes, there is negativity in this world,
even in your thoughts.
But your mind is so much greater!

Open yourself
to
positive sentience!

—
86 words for Sammi’s
Weekend Writing Prompt #173, Sentient.

Sharp Cheddar Blessings #SoCS #Poem

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Regardless of the season,
I love sharp cheddar cheese!
Alone or on a cracker,
It never fails to please!

The only disappointment,
Like so many a vice,
And why I rarely buy it,
Of course it is the price!

Four dollars for a little block?
Oh no, without a doubt!
Not when I can get full meals
For that self-same amount!

But blessings come in many forms,
So small but really not,
For we received a block of cheese,
And boy! It hit the spot!

—
Written and unedited for Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS) Prompt,
Sharp.