Maestro

I slip in unobtrusively 
and take a seat in back, 
the orchestra is tuning up, 
I open up my pack 
and take a rolled up magazine 
with which to play along, 
conducting is a passion 
I have had since I was young. 

The brass, the woodwinds and the strings, 
the tympani and all, 
play scattered notes and splattered tones 
until the maestro's call. 
The program is Stravinsky's 'Rite,' 
an overture by Brahms, 
and there am I gesticulating 
wildly with my arms! 

A cello player noticed me 
and signalled to the Man, 
"Come, make music! Step on down 
and join this merry band!" 
the maestro cried in strident tones, 
then summoned me on stage, 
with great excitement I obeyed, 
as he turned back the page. 

"From the beginning!" he enjoined, 
and handed me the stick, 
I tapped the podium and stared, 
I started feeling sick! 
But then the downbeat... hell broke loose! 
the orchestra responded, 
Damn! I guess I nailed the Brahms, 
how glorious it sounded! 

It was then that I awoke, 
my closet was a tip, 
I stood in my tuxedo 
with a poker in my grip! 
The famed Chicago Symphony 
with Solti in the lead, 
how graciously he'd chosen me, 
what better dream indeed!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

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Austin Avatar
May 25, 2013 at 9:35 AM
You're lucky, Keith, it wasn't Fritz Reiner - He could kill with the eyes. My teacher, Sidney Harth, was concertmaster of Chicago for a short while, then the New York Phil. This was ages ago, as was Reiner. Love your dream. What a charge it would be to drop the stick on Brahms' 3rd. Love, daver
Collins Avatar
May 25, 2013 at 7:28 AM
Dear Keith Bravo! Bravo! Another gem. My husband would have wished to have this dream (in reality of course). I gave him a baton once as a birthday gift (not bona fide baton, but it did the trick for him). My gosh I saw that room clearly after you awakened; a vivid picture popped into my head. Now isn't that a Felix Odd Couple thought? Does this beautiful poem mean you have leader qualities? love, Kathy
Dietrich Avatar
May 22, 2013 at 2:15 PM
wow, a DREAM. So was this in a contest that got judged yet? It sure deserves to be on somebody's winner list!! You do have a way with words!
Bauer Avatar
May 21, 2013 at 3:58 PM
oh, i so enjoyed this one, keith! i love the whole idea of it and, of course, your execution is just delightful (with a charming ending). bravo, maestro!
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