Poems
My music is often connected to the power of words. Here are some of my writings.
Child’s Play (set to music in 7 movements)
Child’s Play
| Child’s Play is a composition for soprano, clarinet, cello and percussion in seven movements using poems I wrote based on the idea that children employ play and deception as a way to learn from the very beginning. For the most part these are innocent games and “tricks” that we love to take part in. As children get older these games get more serious as they explore their place in the family and the world around them. |
(1) I see you
Eyes, wide
Smile, hand on mouth
Shy
We were
Whole
Now I hide my eyes
From you
It was so bright
In there
Our love
So intense, now
I have
To pretend
We are two
(2) Hide and Seek
Where am I?
Behind these mighty pillars?
Inside this cave of warm windows?
My eyes
Peek at parts
Of your face
My sweet breath
Resonates in the hollow
Of my hands
Ta DA
Here I am!
(3) Don’t Tell
Now you listen
Missy
What you saw
Must not be said out loud
If you understand
Just nod your head…
Good dolly
It wasn’t really bad
Just a little thing
I’m sure
It won’t matter
But just in case
Let’s you and I
Keep it
To ourselves
(4) Power
I will win!
If I pretend
I’m small and helpless
I don’t understand
I’m too tired
It’s too difficult
It’s not fair
Whatever!
So I can
Slowly
Make you
Bend and sway
And let me
Get exactly
What I want
(5) Secrets
Remember what they told us?
Never, never, never
Well now it happened
But we can’t say it did
We can’t even think it did
It has to be forgotten
Like the bad dog down the street
That never came back
We’ll swear it
Seriously
And now we’ll promise
Never, ever, never ever
To tell
(6) Lies
It was true!
It is true!
I saw it!
I saw it and it was there!
Right there!!
How can you
Not believe me?
How can you
Not trust me?
I wish you
Would all go
And leave me
Alone
With my lie
(7) Love Me
I hate you
I wish you would
Go far away
Don’t talk to me
Or even smile
Stop smiling!
I’m still angry
Why are you being kind
To me?
Do you still love me?
In Search Of?
In Search Of?
improvising music
I imagine emotional spaces
familiar yet haunting with
mysterious turns
and unusual shifts.
inside momentum
I discover places
of momentary rest
observing my
changing moods
uncovering glimpses
of light and shade
with surprises
that entice my spirit
Freedom Now
Freedom Now
The freedom to express
without pause
what we see,
hear and feel
in our bones.
The freedom
of not being lied to,
spied on,
abused,
attacked.
The freedom of
being left in peace,
moving without restriction
or fear.
To wait for no time.
To observe,
love and embrace
what we need,
whenever,
wherever,
it comes.
Vigil (narrated by Bill Gilliam & performed by Toronto Improvisors Orchestra)
Vigil
(five poems about COVID 19 observations and perspectives in 2020)
All Exits Go Nowhere
Spread out everyone!
Six feet!
Where to?
Keep walking away
Around each other
No resting
Not that way
No access!
Don’t breath out
Or In!
Stay home!
The Animals Are All Laughing!
Where did they all go?
We can pee anywhere!
Lovely roses, mmm, thank you!
This smooth green grass
Is perfect for a run, or lunch
Or, a nap
Let’s go play on their stuff!
The animals, are all laughing!
I Was Ready, Then Not
I was ready, then not!
Temperature up, chest burning
Vowing to face the music
Report to the hospital, first thing
But I stayed home
Sweating in my pillows
It was a panic attack
Another day
I’ll be ready
Or not
Can I See The Sky Before I Die?
Can I see the sky before I die?
Please forgive me, but I can’t take you there
Your loved ones need to be here
My heart breaks for you and yours
Who won’t see you again
With tears
I hold your hand
We are so fragile
Watching life
Disappear
Walking Home
Walking home after my ICU shift
Tension lifting
Feeling the warm bond of my team
Mixed with deep sadness for our patients
I hear my neighbours on our street, clapping for me!
I embrace their gratitude
I’m proud of my role
But I’m no martyr
Sea Changes
Sea Changes
Sea Changes
Of freedoms hard won
Over centuries
Making rapid returns to
Fixed hierarchies and
Arch enmities long held
Boundaries pushed & nudged by
The ebb and flow of ideology
Recycled autocracy
From East to West
Dressed up and pushing down
Hard on noncompliants
Suited automaton prototypes
Released from
Any notion of responsibility
Stare dispassionately down from glass towers
At bulldozed slums and
Emaciated welfare units
Ships of state-corps
Float unhindered
Interconnected within
Closed wealth systems
Devoid of unpredictability
Silent Sun
Bakes it all
Desert bones
Racist rants
Tarmac roads
Protest chants
Pleasure seekers in
cedar groves
Panting guard dogs
Watching all that moves
Low rent barrios
On shaky ground
Turreted villas
Gated compounds
What will happen
When the many
Turn on their handlers
Reach for their Money?