Memories of Bach

Memories of Bach At 17, I performed a solo ballet to Bach Below a sparkling sky, On a park’s open green grass. The choreography flowed. I was well-rehearsed. The opportunity, special, before Some of our gathered city’s spectators. This genius: Bach. This glorious cantata: “Jesu,]oy of Man’s Desiring.” And, I, the young ballerina, Wrapped very Grecian-like in an ivory, silk tunic, Stepping out to Meet the first notes, Humbly opening my arms — first right, then left — To invite the music to my dance. But, barely a quarter-minute into the piece, I was overwhelmed — As my first dance ever Out-of-doors — The sky was my ceiling And it was too high, Making my reaching upward breathless. There were no stage wings To mark the arrowing points of my arabesques. My memory lost all upcoming moves To the sparse clouds in their swirling crossing of the sky. I let Bach choreograph my choice Of upcoming motions as I Let myself become his music On to the end. About a decade later, On a cloudless, August day, (the hottest day that year). I asked for Bach To sound, again. Dear Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring,” rose Meeting our ears so magnificently From the organ, as I stepped into the church, Wearing yards of wrapped white silk. I stepped gently down the aisle Toward my waiting groom. My own joy carried me Into the cantata In celebration of Our wedding day and Of our decades of love Together, on that day Just beginning. ————————————————- (c) sally young Eslinger 10/21 poem Thanks be to God