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The Art of Singing

I began to sing aloud
and put my whole throat in it.
Standing straight and tall—
thought everyone would listen
and beckon those they knew.
Scant regard was my reward.

Thus I gathered friends,
and as a choir we sang.
Sweet and high angelic
anthems filled the air
and echoed sweetly,
yet fell upon deaf ears.

Again, we raised a chorus,
lilting tones transcendent, 
but their common tasks continued.
So as one we shut firmly up—
took flight on silver wings and 
vanished in the clear blue sky.

Copyright © Mark Peterson | Year Posted 2016

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Funom Makama Date: 4/30/2016 2:22:00 PM This piece is just the perfect start I need to come back home to my wonderful poetrysoup. This is amazing, beautiful and a high seven! Well done friend Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 5/10/2016 9:01:00 PM Sorry I'm late in responding to your comment, Funom, which I treasure. We welcome your return!

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 4/3/2016 12:35:00 AM When people are too busy to appreciate music they just might miss the boat! I enjoyed this Mark. I could visualize your ending so clearly. Hugs, Connie ; ) Login to Reply

Timothy Hicks Date: 3/18/2016 9:22:00 PM Re-reading this again, and the birdsong makes much more sense to me ... not sure why cicadas came to mind (I'm weird sometimes!) ... Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 3/18/2016 10:51:00 PM Thanks for doing this. You may be weird, but you seem to be pretty good at it. Some people are just weird.

Timothy Hicks Date: 3/18/2016 1:28:00 AM Almost thought you were talking about cicadas in the end (with the silver wings into the clear blue sky) ... that would have been an amusing twist. Sad when people don't stop to listen and appreciate beauty. Discouraging ... but I guess you gotta sing for yourself if no one else. Well written poem ... I liked how your last bit could be taken a couple different ways. Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 3/18/2016 2:11:00 AM Well they could be cicadas. I'm familiar with their sound from my years in Africa. I had birdsong in mind when I wrote it. Of course the point is still the same, as you averred. Thanks so much for stopping by with your interesting and thoughtful comments.

Daver Austin Date: 3/11/2016 5:11:00 PM Ah, the trials and tribulation of the musician, but you gotta suffer pain, baby. This is good stuff. daver Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 3/11/2016 6:09:00 PM Thanks, Daver, you got the gist of it. It's been awhile, so I need to pay you a visit.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/10/2016 9:00:00 PM Oh, I can really picture this, and sadly, people do not take note of beauty when it is right in front of them. A really well crafted little poem. Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 3/11/2016 12:04:00 AM Andrea, thanks for stopping by. Hard for me to keep up with you, but you always come through for others.

Suzanne C. Goudreau Date: 3/6/2016 7:19:00 PM A poignant and most inspiring read! Hi Mark, hope all is going fine your way! Thank you for sharing your lovely poems! Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 3/6/2016 7:48:00 PM Thank you, lovely Suzanne. So glad to hear from you, and thanks so much for your comment.

Kelly Deschler Date: 2/29/2016 9:56:00 PM Such a beautiful poem and so very moving from this unique perspective... Nicely penned, Mark! Login to Reply Mark Peterson Date: 2/29/2016 10:27:00 PM Kelly, I so appreciate your visit, and know that your poetry is such a pleasure to read and contemplate.