Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

“Chaverim Tovim” #Music

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Download “Chaverim Tovim” Mp3

Since Passover begins this evening, here is a medley of two Hebrew
songs. Well, one original called “Erev Tov,” (Good Evening), and a
traditional Hebrew folksong called “Shalom Chaverim,” variously
translated as “Hello Friends,” “Good-bye Friends,” and “Peace to You,
My Friends.”

These are played on zither and Oriole (soprano) recorder, and “Shalom
Chaverim” is a 2-part round. I’ve named this medley “Chaverim Tovim,”
which means “Good Friends.”

I hope you enjoy these two pieces!

Why Do We Exist?

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Have you ever wondered why some people exist?

Why do people harm themselves and others? Why does humankind, as a
whole, refuse to change for the better, even when we know–well–we
know it would be better? Why do we keep repeating the same negative
patterns, ineffective communication styles, emotional blackmail,
mental and physical abuse, and other destructive behaviors over and
over and over?

Why don’t we learn from our mistakes? And why do those whom we believe
“deserve” to be hurt, seem to come through without a scratch, while
bad things continually happen to “good” people?

I have no answers! Instead, *I prefer keeping in mind even the
possibility that existence has its own reason for being!

—
My 117-word response for
dVerse Prosery: Possibilities.

*— Wisława Szymborska, “Possibilities”

A Chipmunk Sneezed #Poem

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Through whirling wind and swirling leaves,
I’m sure I heard a chipmunk sneeze!

No other thing or person round
To make that funny “HAH!” like sound.

Through swirling wind and whirling leaves,
Could chipmunks, too, have allergies?

“Bless you!” I whispered, soft but clear
To let him know I care and hear.

Through whirling wind and swirling leaves,
I’m sure I heard a chipmunk sneeze!

—
A true story, immortalized in verse for
Eugi’s Weekly Prompt: Swirling.

Call me crazy, but I know what I heard! 😀

At Your Service #SixSentenceStories

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Since the beginning of recorded time, music has been used for
everything from war to peace, from love to loss, from inciting
violence to bringing healing.

Once music was a high art form and was appreciated as such; however,
it’s mostly considered entertainment in our society.

Now, I’ve done my share of performing and providing entertainment, and
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that!

It was fun, both for me and for the audience, but music has so much
more to offer!

Science and the medical establishment confirm the healing–not
necessarily curative, but harmonizing, restoring,
health-promoting–power of sound and music.

Service musicians use this to their fullest advantage, choosing music
that is aligned with their patients’ needs and/or specific therapeutic
or healing goals, not for entertainment or accolades, but to help
others with the musical tools at their fingertips, in their voices,
and in their hearts.

—
Written for
#SixSentenceStories: Service.

Attend the Ball! #Decima #Poem

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Perhaps you’re nervous, anxious, scared
Of where you haven’t been before.
But were you frightened to be born?
You did it, even unprepared!
Go down the hall, ascend the stairs!
Be gowned, bedazzled by the ball,
Just try again if you should fall.
Play out the play, and dance the dance!
You must move forward to advance!
And take a chance for Good of All!

—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 50: (DANCE) in the D rhyme line.

This week I did something new. I wrote the D lines first, then the C
lines, and finally, the first 5 lines. It felt strange, but turned out
well.