Notes About The Poem

Six Brothers In Harmony

Every one of my five brothers
and I strive to create harmony.
Our lives are lived in parallel
yet at times we work alone.
Other times we play well together -
unity and coexistence is our goal.

A chord can bring us together
into a rich and soulful harmony.
We often seek concord in parallel
so no one is left alone;
expressive music is our end goal,
a desire shared by six brothers.

Django Reinhardt, who often played alone,
had mastery over all us brothers,
as do Los Romeros playing together,
creating a family of classical harmony.
Andrés Segovia with his ambitious goal,
worked with composer Rodrigo in parallel.

Great rock guitarists with their goal
of playing fantastic music in parallel:
Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison playing together;
the Eagles soaring in amazing harmony;
Clapton; Jimmy Page; the Allman Brothers;
or Hendrix playing incendiary solos alone.

Bring your friends, sisters and brothers
to a concert - don't come alone!
You'll meet people who have parallel
interests to your own. Dance together
as music plays. Our common goal
should be brotherhood and world harmony!

Each string of a guitar, alone
can make a melody. But harmony
exists only by functioning in parallel,
cooperatively. Let this be our goal:
for human beings to work together,
recognizing that we are all brothers.

      My brothers and I aren't alone.
      In parallel lives, our main goal
      is to work together, making harmony.

[Sestina]

// A sestina is a non-rhyming poem consisting of six six-line stanzas and a three-line envoy. The last word of each line in stanza 1 is repeated in all of the following stanzas. The envoy contains all six repeating words. To emphasize the theme of "Six Relatives", I have also made each line exactly 6 words. Additionally, I began stanzas 1-6 with the letters of the six guitar strings: E, A, D, G, B, E. One final note: the "ambitious goal" of Andrés Segovia and Joaquín Rodrigo was to make the guitar a respected instrument in the classical repertoire. They succeeded!//

Written 16 Nov 2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
December 2, 2020 at 1:55 PM
Your entry was SO well done and took so much work. It was a very well deserved win . Congrats, John.
Watt Avatar
December 2, 2020 at 2:03 PM
Much appreciated, my friend. Looking back, I should have read a few more before trying to write one!
Roper Avatar
December 1, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Love the poetic flow in your story, John. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
Watt Avatar
December 1, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Thank you for reading, Eve, and leaving another kind comment. Hugs ~ John
Adams Avatar
November 21, 2020 at 8:54 AM
excellent sestina, they are not an easy form, i have written one...my hat off to you because you made it look easy... great write John! hugs
Watt Avatar
November 21, 2020 at 11:59 AM
It's wonderful to see you, Sandra. Thanks for the time investment in reading this lonnnnng poem, I don't imagine I'll try this form again anytime soon, haha. Thanks for the kind words. Hope all is well. Hugs ~ John
Daniel Avatar
November 19, 2020 at 1:53 AM
Your brilliance shines through, John, simply amazing:)
Watt Avatar
November 19, 2020 at 8:08 AM
Thank you for the encouraging comment, Jo. Enjoy your day ~ John
Wolf Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 5:16 PM
Six Watts brothers?! Wow! That's a log of 'wattage' when you and your brothers are plugged in onstage! ~ Here's to Harmony and Peaceful Coexistence, Gershon
Watt Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 5:40 PM
Lol! Even 6 watts would make a pretty dim bulb, and I actually have no brothers, so that picture paints itself, ha ha! Thank for the fun comment ~ John Denver (not)
Pandit Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 1:59 PM
You excel in this hard to execute form John. Appreciate the upbeat sentiments you express.
Watt Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Thank you, my friend. Your words mean a lot, and are greatly appreciated ~ John
Horne Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 12:23 PM
really love this - & you've made such a difficult form look so easy
Watt Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 12:53 PM
Thank you Jack. I'm very grateful for all your reads and comments today. Enjoy what's left of your day ~ John
Radhakrishna Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 1:12 AM
Great poem and such a challenging format! some of those names are difficult but you have managed to fit them in! All the best in the contest but I can see this lifting the cup!!
Watt Avatar
November 18, 2020 at 12:53 PM
Thank you for your kind words today, Krish. Your thoughts are always appreciated ~ John
Ashley Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 8:57 PM
My poetic and musical brother, you have outdone yourself in this rhapsody of wonder. Brilliant in every way, in the depth and breadth of your expression, and in keeping a unified harmony throughout. A tricky beast, this form, but your talented pen shines beautifully here! A great title to an awesome write, John, and I relished your poet's notes as well.. which grows my admiration for your skillful pen even more :) Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes and hugs for you, my dear friend.. ~Susan
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 10:55 PM
Dear poetry sis, not only are your poems a delight to the senses, your carefully crafted comments are poetic in their own right, and so nourishing to the poetic soul. Your reading this Sestina warms me deeply and your affirmation brings a satisfying smile. Keep inspiring and being inspired, dear one. Hugs ~ John
Y. Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 6:41 PM
WoW! John, What a wonderful poem with a message that we all should take heed of now. I agree with the sixth stanza 100%; we must realize that we are all brothers and sisters. We are linked because we are all part of the human race. Your well-written write should get recognized as the poem of the day or week. Excellent job. This write is a winner in my book. Best wishes in the contest. It is going straight in my favs. Have a good night, my friend:-)Alexis
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 10:49 PM
Alexis, you have grasped my intent perfectly, the harmony possibilities of humans working together like strings on a guitar. Thank you for the much appreciated fave, the affirming comment, and the endearing soupmail you wrote. Blessings, my friend!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 6:14 PM
Way to go! Harmony can be tough but it’s a worthy goal! Good luck in contest,
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 6:17 PM
Thank you, my dear friend!
Michael Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 3:40 PM
Completely agree...we must try and work together for the best...
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Thanks for the affirmation, Arturo ~ John
Dietrich Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 1:48 PM
I forget, but is six one of your numbers in numerology? Soupmail me your exact birthdate again. One should always play around with things that include their "numbers!"
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 5:26 PM
Soupmail
Dietrich Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Well, well, John, you pulled off another FIRST, a dreaded SESTINA. hahaha. I think I actually did one or two and said to myself Never Again will I do THAT form. But I have to say, you really pulled your ideas together very well. I like how you were able to take the repeated words and use them with such cohesion and in "harmony" with your theme. Congrats on your successful endeavor with a poetry form for which I will never understand it's being invented. What you say here is wonderful!!
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 5:58 PM
These are very nice words to hear after feeling like this poem was excessively long. Much appreciated, Andrea
Mcintosh Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 6:23 AM
I haven't ever written a poem in this form. So interesting and I enjoyed your verses. God bless you dear friend
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 7:20 AM
Gina, it was new to me too. Thank you for reading my long poem and leaving your kind words behind. God bless you today ~ John
May Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 4:03 AM
Chord connections in harmony, Music bringing people together, Very nicely penned John..
Watt Avatar
November 17, 2020 at 7:20 AM
Thank you Joseph. Very kind of you to say. Enjoy your day ~ John
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