How we push and we press and we shove
To suppress all our negative stuff…
And each time we do that,
We are not really flat…
On the contrary: We must erupt!
—
Written for
#Threethingschallenge #480: Stuff, push, flat.
To everyone who posts a daily prompt like this, I give you my thanks and admiration! I appreciate your dedication, encouragement, and inspiration, even though I can’t participate every day. Thank you! ❤
First thing was probably a slide whistle.
Yes, the one I climbed the washer and dryer
and nearly fell,
while trying to retrieve it,
clandestine,
from the cabinet.
You know, the high cabinet where Mom hid it,
because I wasn’t supposed to have it.
First thing, I’m pretty sure,
was that slide whistle
shaped like a fish!
Next things were
little cymbals,
maracas,
a triangle,
and a tambourine…
Followed by bamboo flutes
and anything else I could get my hands on!
Finally, at age 10,
I officially became a musician!
But it was organ lessons they wanted for me.
I, of course, had other plans–
plans that were fulfilled
when my parents bought the piano I wanted,
along with the organ they wanted for me!
God bless the lady who had to move
and couldn’t take them with her!
She didn’t know it,
but in selling her precious piano,
she gave me a pathway to peace
that will last my whole lifetime
and, I pray, beyond!
After the piano,
in no particular order, came
harmonica,
ukulele,
harp,
guitar,
Mountain dulcimer,
autoharp,
mandolin,
recorder,
other flutes and whistles,
violin, later viola,
harpsichord,
zither and lyre,
banjo and banjo ukulele,
concertina,
bagpipes,
frame drums
and handbells of all kinds…
I know I’m forgetting some,
and I feel bad for that.
Because each instrument,
no matter how well or badly I played it,
gave me something
I still have today.
I still play,
still love,
still feel the magic,
and still find peace
on the musical journey
that is my life
and the life
I share with others.
This is my Tao, my Way to
joy,
peace,
hope,
faith,
love,
healing,
wisdom and understanding…
My path to
compassion for myself and others…
In short,
my path to God!
Music was my first thing.
It is my current thing.
And it will be
my eternal
last thing!
—
My response to Linda G. Hill’s
Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt: First thing.
Thunder
before the rain
told all to stay inside.
Of course, not everyone obeyed…
Distraught.
Salvaged
after the rain,
with the coming of dawn,
the bright-shining symbol of a
new leaf.
Our own
Garden of Eden,
where perhaps no storms rage,
only exists eternally
in Light.
we find
matcha for tea,
giving thanks for supply;
respecting, taking what we need
to live.
Dragon
of avarice
is fed by humankind…
Yet we always have the option
]to choose!
Black tie
around his neck
chokes off the serpent’s greed.
And Light is always here, beyond
false dark.
We live
in half-and-half,
Light and dark together.
Which we see depends on our own
seeking!
—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s wonderful
Chance Cinquain Paint Chip Prompt!
Here is a traditional Scottish folk song, so well known that most of us have heard it. I heard it as a child and wondered who Bonnie was. Well, Bonnie may refer to “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” but it may have other meanings as well. The song’s origin is unclear, but it remains popular in Western culture and even as a children’s song, much to my delight.
My arrangement contains viola and alto recorder, with ukulele accompaniment. I hope you enjoy it!
There are times when we could all use a filter, especially when we feel tired and run down or in pain.
Maybe it’s a coffee filter; these days it’s probably a mask, or even a mask with a filtering element.
Whatever you use and whatever you need, I pray that yours is a filter of hope!
Not to prevent hope–oh no–but to prevent some negativity from entering your heart, mind, soul, and outlook!
Here is a medley of two pieces I composed years ago, “Hard Times” and “Hope.”
May this meditation with zither, alto recorder, and Oriole soprano recorder be a hopeful filter for you during these difficult times!
—
Written for
#SixSentenceStories: Filter
and
Tale Weaver #310: Tired and Run Down.
Each thought is a dab on the canvas of life,
Expressing and coloring sweetness or strife.
It’s something like nothing within our control–
And thinking affects body, mind, and our soul.
O artist, choose carefully, consciously, wise,
While daily creating your portrait of life!
—
My Quadrille in response to De’s “dab” prompt at
dVerse.
Simple in nature
Yet difficult for people,
To release… Let go!
—
Written for
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 340 Release and Simple.
Annie Hawks wrote the poem, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” in 1872. Her pastor, Dr. Robert Lowry, wrote the refrain and the music. Though Annie Hawks wrote over 400 hymn texts, this is the only one continually published and sung today.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement with ukulele, viola, and alto recorder!
O that our hearts of polished stone
Would ride like cowboys in the night!
Come quickly now to help just one
And stay until the morning light!
With mind and spirit shining bright
And body comforted by touch,
We’d feel less lonely in our plight.
I don’t believe I ask too much!
O Rocky Mountains, deep in tone,
Give us your song of strength and might!
Help all remember, small and grown,
That each one has a place in life!
And whether ag-ed or a sprite,
Compassion true is not a crutch.
A gift of love, the heart’s delight!
I don’t believe I ask too much!
O that our hearts of polished stone
Would ride like cowboys in the night!
Come quickly now to help just one
And stay until the morning light!
With mind and spirit shining bright
And body comforted by touch,
We’d feel less lonely in our plight.
I don’t believe I ask too much!
O Prince of Peace, You, Love and Light!
Let us release the fear we clutch!
And open to Your loving sight–
I don’t believe I ask too much!
—
This is a
Ballade
written for Linda Kruschke’s weekly
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt.
PSA: If you, like me, cannot read text in images, click the Ballade link above for a written explanation and examples of the form.
Also known as “Bonnie Charlie,” this is a traditional Scottish folk tune, author unknown. The lyrics, however, are not traditional, in the sense that they were written in one time period, about another time period which their author did not witness, and they imitate a particular style of song. The author of the poem is known; you can read more about the poem and its place in history
here.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement played on lyre, viola, Oriole (soprano) and Yamaha alto recorder!
Mystical Strings 
You must be logged in to post a comment.