Monthly Archives: February 2021

Thank You, Mr. Goldman! #Decima #Poem

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Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Goldman!
You gave me the gift of writing,
Showed me how a word could brighten,
Listened to my songs unfolding.

Though your class was prose, not poem,
Words and music came together,
Bringing both to something better!
What a tapestry and knotting,
Worlds discovered, made with plotting;
You encouraged every letter!

—
A Decima to my High School Sophomore English teacher, Mr. Goldman, written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 46: (KNOT) in the D rhyme line.

“Knowledge and Love” #Music

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This song began as a poem I wrote, probably in 2002. Originally it had only 2 stanzas.

In 2003 I composed the music on a small harp. In my original accompaniment, the voice and harp were in unison, both carrying the melody. Last year I added verses 3 and 4, and wrote the descant accompaniment you hear while I sing.

Creative works, like people, can and do evolve!

I hope you enjoy “Knowledge and Love” with lyre accompaniment!

Knowledge and Love – Lyrics

1. Knowledge is what helps us grow through the years.
It tells us some things can’t be true.
Love is what keeps us strong.
Hold it all the day long,
Showing your life as the proof.

2. Knowledge may disappear time and again,
But of this we all can be sure.
Love makes no other claim,
Simply that it remains,
Infinite Life evermore.

3. “Knowledge is power,” they say. And it is.
But not all the mind can conceive.
Love is the Pow’r of Life,
Making the Spirit bright.
Ask, and you shall receive!

4. Love is within you, and knowledge is, too!
They come from the Life of the One.
Present within your mind,
God is the One you find.
Love is his Will ever done.

Repeat 1.

“The Sheep under the Snow” #Music

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Download “The Sheep under the Snow” Mp3

“The Sheep under the Snow” is a Manx folk song called “Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey.” Please don’t ask me how to pronounce that! It’s a haunting melody I heard for the first time a few days ago. Do yourself a favor and avoid the lyrics, because they are so sad… Needless to say, I’m not posting them here.

I hope you enjoy this folk song on zither!

“Minuet in G” by J.S. Bach #Music

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This piece by Johann Sebastian Bach needs no introduction. There are other sections that are not as well known, but this segment is the most popular. It was one of the first of many simplified Bach pieces I learned as an early piano student. I still enjoy playing it, more than 26 years later.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement played first as a duet on alto recorder, then on lyre, next on zither, and ending with the recorder duet!

From Word Matters a Blog by @Ernest Dempsey Does Working With Someone Who Believes In No Higher Power Affect Your Work? #Author’sCorner

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Not long ago, after reading something concerning an atheist’s belief or lack there-of and then shortly after having had a conversation with someone …

From Word Matters a Blog by @Ernest Dempsey Does Working With Someone Who Believes In No Higher Power Affect Your Work? #Author’sCorner