The Piano Recital
Your skill unlocked a secret on a summer afternoon.
As you stepped onto the stage we stepped with you
into a sacred world–we saw the moon
shining on a cathedral beneath the turbulent blue.
We heard the harmonious ballads of the night
rising like love songs from the depths of light.
Something transcendent trembled in your execution
of each piece. The studious passion of your
young face revealed a deeper dedication–
something more eternal, elemental, and pure.
The guardian Spirit was released, and through
your majestic music we saw your better you.
You understood the rubrics of notes and score,
the liturgy of music and the lifting of the heart.
I glimpsed your future then, solid and secure.
When you were at the piano playing your part
I saw you standing at an altar,
offering the nobler, greater,
sacrifice of a more mysterious art.
Praying for the young man’s vocation.
Very nice poem, indeed.I think you will agree that a poem – no matter how obvious the theme might be – is subject to interpretation. Before I completely bungle my own personal decipherment of these verses, can you tell me who he is referring to in this poem?I’m re-reading a few of the lines and the connotation can go in multiple directions.
The poem was inspired by a young student’s senior piano recital. References are made in the first two stanzas to the various pieces he played. The poem is resolved by my own connection between the pianist and a priest–the student is not only a fine pianist, but is considering a vocation to the priesthood.
Thank you. And once again, beautiful poem.
“Your skill unlocked a secret on a summer afternoon.As you stepped onto the stage we stepped with youinto a sacred world–we saw the moonshining on a cathedral beneath the turbulent blue.We heard the harmonious ballads of the nightrising like love songs from the depths of light.”That first stanza: pure awesome.The closing inward imagery of this pianist as possible priest making the holy sacrifice of the Mass is very strong.”the liturgy of music and the lifting of the heart”: beauty of a line.
Thank you for your appreciation.