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World Music in Dulcet Tones and Duduk Vibrations

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My abecedarian poem written last winter is a heartfelt expression of my admiration for the universal language of music, which knows no boundaries and unites us all. I wrote this poem to celebrate the rich diversity of musical traditions from every corner of the world. Each line is a tribute to the unique sounds and rhythms that define cultures and stir emotions within us. The reverse alphabetical constraint at the end of each line was a creative challenge I set for myself to push the limits of poetic form and infuse the piece with a structural complexity that mirrors the intricate nature of music itself. This poem is my way of honoring the power of music to evoke feelings of harmony and joy and to foster a sense of kinship among people everywhere. It reflects my deep appreciation for art and its ability to touch the human soul. 

 

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Across the globe, music ascends—a universal zephyr, Bridging cultures in harmonious yearning; Chords converge from Andes to the Zangezur, xenharmonic, Dulcet tones of a duduk—in the air, they whisper. Every note—an echo of humanity's vibration, From flamenco's fire to the finesse of a cello's undulation; Gamelan's gongs—a gamut of sounds' timbre, Harmonium's hum—hearts and spirits, it serenades. In India, the sitar intricately resonates, Juxtaposed with jazz, as New Orleans quavers; Kora's strings kiss the breeze, as Africa pulses, Lyrics leap across lands—in mosaic form, it oscillates. Marimba's mallets on wooden keys lightly narrate, Ney's notes navigate in a trance-like murmur; Oud's ornate voice offers a lyric, Perhaps to partake in profound kinesis. Qanun quietly queries—a quivering jubilation, Rhythms resonate—a restorative intonation; Samba's syncopation—a spirited harmony, Tabla's tempo—a testament of grandiloquence. Uilleann pipes uplift with urgent fervor, Violins voice the vibrancy of the echo; Whistles and winds—the world's diapason, Xylophone's xylography—a cross-cultural cadence. Yodeling yonder, in the Alps' bellow, Zither's zephyrs—a zenith we attune.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 4/29/2024 10:56:00 AM
A fascinating read, Daniel. I used to think/believe that music was a connecting factor re the human condition. I'm not so sure anything is...anymore.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 4/29/2024 3:55:00 PM
Thank you so much Jim, your contemplation adds depth to my poem's exploration. It's true, the complexity of human connection is multifaceted. While music remains powerful, our understanding evolves. Your insights provoke reflection of the ever-shifting nature of perception. - Blessings, Daniel
Date: 12/18/2023 7:49:00 AM
Your're not kidding when you say you love music! This is great fun and a pleasure to read each verse.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/18/2023 9:22:00 AM
Thank you so much, Duke, for reading the poem. It sounds like you are also passionate about music, just like me. Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/17/2023 10:26:00 AM
Congratulations. Music lifts our souls, lulls the broken ones and inspires to write those lyrics to soothe and make them whole again. It is the language of the universe. Don't forget each of us has a musical instrument, our voice.... sing ... Happy Holidays.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/17/2023 4:03:00 PM
Hello Marlene, thanks for your lovely comments. Yes, we have our voices and sing we shall. - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/17/2023 5:39:00 AM
Lovely written. I loved the fact that it read ABC upwards. Congratulations on your win.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/17/2023 4:01:00 PM
Hello Tonye, thank you for your congratulations and taking the time to read my poem. - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/16/2023 6:48:00 PM
Masterful work! Well thought out. Musically expressed. Indeed, Music is the universal language, pulse behind and within the basic cords of lyrical being~ all poets will attest. Having said that -- I still can't stand Rap. Though I love beat, an old jazz drummer. Blessings my friend.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/17/2023 4:11:00 AM
Good Morning, Joe, thank you for your affirmations. I agree with you about rap which is one of my least favorite forms. I did not fully understand the value of jazz until I went to the University of Miami to get my masters in music which is a huge jazz school. I fell in love with jazz for the first time. Thanks again for visiting. - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/16/2023 6:16:00 PM
So vivid , vibrant and descriptive of music across all cultures and a high level of vocabulary to boot. Warmest congratulations on your win, Daniel. I like the four line stanza format ending with a couplet and the alliterations all along.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/16/2023 6:32:00 PM
Thank you, my friend, for your kind words and reading my poem It was a pleasure reading yours. - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/16/2023 12:49:00 PM
This is so beautifully depicted I can hear the music of the sphere, Congrats on a job well done :)
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/16/2023 1:56:00 PM
Thank you my friend for reading my poem and your congrats. I just read your poem and absolutely loved it and again congrats to you. -Blessings, Daniel
Date: 12/16/2023 10:46:00 AM
A wonderful musical journey written excellently in this form. Congratulations on your first place in the contest.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/16/2023 1:42:00 PM
Wow, thank you so much my friend for posting this contest. This form is perhaps one of my most difficult forms to complete. It took a bit of research to put it together and even then I kept revising, giving up, revising and giving up. My humblest thanks again for selecting my poem. - Blessings, Daniel
Date: 12/16/2023 9:44:00 AM
wow, it's so cool how much you like music and can pay tribute to it with this awesome poem.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/16/2023 1:37:00 PM
Thank you so much for your kind comments Andrea. I believe there is no other single language that currently spans the world and all cultures like music. It is truly amazing! - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/14/2023 7:23:00 PM
This Abecedarian is a magnificent creativity! Your inventiveness is simply unrivaled. Your choice to start each phrase with an artistic component is fantastic. Without a doubt, this is a masterwork worthy of consideration in any prestigious contest.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/15/2023 5:21:00 AM
Good Morning, Sotto, Thank you so much for taking the time to not only read but to write affirming comments which made my day. Music is the one language that everyone on the planet finds common ground which is amazing. Have a great day my friend! - Blessings, Daniel!
Date: 12/14/2023 10:26:00 AM
Daniel, you have written a "song" for everyone who treasures the gift of music and it deeply touches the heart of this musician. Seems we share that special title of musician-poet! What a very special bond. Best wishes for the contest. Blessings of "note" from one musician to another for truly music is a gift from the Heavens that "unites" us on so many different levels! Thank you for this melodious, lyrical poem.
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/14/2023 11:41:00 AM
Dear Sam, Thank you for your kind words and heartfelt response. It’s truly gratifying to know that my poem resonated with you, a fellow musician-poet. The bond we share through music and poetry is indeed unique and transcendent. Your blessings and best wishes mean a lot to me. I wholeheartedly agree that music is a divine gift that unites us in myriad ways. I’m glad that my poem could strike a chord with you. Once again, thank you for your appreciation and encouragement. - Blessings, Daniel
Date: 12/14/2023 10:07:00 AM
Dear Daniel, Ah this is one of those poems that i didnt want it to end, as it was so insightful and entertaining and so very well crafted with excellent diction and alliterations. I love so many lines in this and i think yes many would, as music is something that unites us all. Personally i love cello and violin and i can play piano, i used to play the guitar but stopped. I love this and i think silent one would too: best wishes for the contest if it is for the contest: pleasure always reading
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/14/2023 11:46:00 AM
Dear Ink Empress, I’m deeply touched by your kind words and appreciation. It’s heartening to know that my poem could provide insight and entertainment, and that you found it well-crafted. Your love for music, especially the cello, violin, and piano, resonates with me. I believe that every note we play adds a unique melody to the symphony of life. Your comment about music uniting us all echoes the sentiment I tried to convey in my poem. Thank you once again for your thoughtful feedback. It’s always a pleasure to share my work with appreciative readers like you. I play guitar, mandolin, uke, piano, and harmonica and find it to be my self-care. - Blessings, Daniel
Date: 12/13/2023 4:22:00 PM
wow, an impressive Abecedarian! I like what you did with U, Y, and Z...unique! I admire that you began each line with something related to music. Masterpiece for sure...a genuine contest contender. Have a great evening, Sara
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Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 12/13/2023 5:17:00 PM
Hello Sara, thank you so much for your encouragements and lovely comments. I do not know if you noticed that the last word in each line is reverse Abecedarian. When I was working on my first degree in music I took a World Music Class which opened my ears to some amazing instruments and sounds. - Blessings, Daniel

Book: Shattered Sighs