Hearing Ravel's String Quartet In A Crowded Coffee House,5: 30 Pm Poem by Daniel Brick
Hearing Ravel's String Quartet In A Crowded Coffee House,5: 30 Pm
The stillness of this music
surprises me. It does not move
and yet changes continually.
It becomes at every moment
more than itself. I sank into
the ease of the music,
as the musicians relaxed
into their mastery, their faces
showing only the joy of performance.
I drifted in and out of the sounds
as I tried to write a poem of sympathy.
(You know this story, my friend, I won't
belabor the failure of words at this time.)
Those sounds, rising above the chatter,
enveloped me, and Music and I became
a single being, attentive to the vibrations
of the larger world. I felt a goal I had not
reckoned had been achieved, and its benefits
spilled over the edge of things and filled
the awareness of people of good will
everywhere. It was as if I stood in the midst
of everyone and danced a dervish dance
summoning all to universal sympathy. It's true
we can indeed touch the World Soul and feel
its wholeness within our souls. And in that
homeland of unified souls peace will descend
and embrace even the most vexed soul among us.
The music, having fulfilled its purpose,
fell into a deep repose. And the rest is silence.
(This poem is dedicated to the victims of the
earthquake in Northern Iran in November,2017.
May they rest in peace.)
Hi Daniel, This has always been one of favorite pieces. Your description in words is highly fitting to the wonderfully clear passages which appear in his work. Also your wonderful caption of being one with the music. I can in this moment completely understand this feeling. Have you ever heard his Gaspard de la Nuit and Daphnis et Chloe? Greetings from Paul
F major is my favorite. Beautiful poem of merge ecstasy with Ravel's music and Universe!
Hey, Daniel! You made me remember with this the feeling of sinking into music. The mention of the coffee house brought to mind an experience of mine and my failed attempts so far to write a poem about it I was satisfied with. What I’ve been trying to capture is the blessed silence driving home alone after a slam poetry reading. Be blessed, friend. Glen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
5/5/2024 8:46:11 PM # 1.0.0.1119
There is something about the keening of a violin that helps one to emote better especially when they hit the notes an octave above the staff and ride them back down. The journey is even better when it's Ravel (a favorite when I was still playing music) . My heart goes out to all of the victims of natural disasters this year....earthquakes, flood, fire. I love how you can zero in on meaning amidst a busy coffee house at rush hour and join with the world's soul.