06 September 2014

Shaping and Sounding






This valley is shaped like Yo-Yo’s cello
that plays sun and shade and bread and butter
without fail, counting on itself through time.

I know it is one of the mother’s backs
one of the Bible’s depths, one layer of
regeneration—citied or countried.

When I open my mouth, its sounds pour out—
or so I wish—inviting all peoples
to travel here in spirit and partake.

This valley is my intention, calling
me in, calling you too, to voice our love
in music’s international soundings.




                                           Posted for Poets United Poetry Pantry #217                                    
Inspired by Marian's  The Valley at IGWRT 
Written during On Being at NPR:  
YO-YO MA —Music Happens Between the Notes


Copyright © 2014  S.L.Chast

30 comments:

  1. citied or countried. nice!

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  2. my 13 year old plays cello... but not like that! :) a beautiful rendition. reminded me of this video, where he played and a hip-hop dancer named Lil Buck accompanied him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9jghLeYufQ ~

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  3. I love the valley shaped like Yo-Yo's cello, and "this valley is my intention, calling"....cool write!

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  4. playing bread and butter... so cool... love the comparison of the valley with the cello...i LOVE cello music... did you know that a cello seems to be the instrument that is closest to the human voice?

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  5. Nice, Susan. I can envision a 'player' land, a fertile valley. Good players and bad ones, some become famous. Others spend their lives behind a box or hat hoping for a large shiny coin. That's the way agriculture works.
    Playing (for) bread and butter are the best anyplace
    Playing (regulating) sun and shade are needed in Sunny California.
    The YouTube music is the best, he didn't spend much time behind his box.
    ..

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  6. What a lovely-shaped valley it would be if it is shaped like Yo-Yo Ma's cello, and I can almost hear it calling from your wonderful description!

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  7. yo yo ma is pretty amazing...and music def has a way of transcending
    and hopefully when our mouthes open they make as joyful
    and beautiful sound....

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  8. "This valley is my intention, calling"...love citied and countried....and we are here too :)

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  9. Playful, and the first stanza is particularly delightful. A sweet write. :-)
    -HA

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  10. Beauty can be found in everything, even a cello! Love the way you portray your love and enjoyment.

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  11. There is something very sensual about the cello.

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  12. The phrase 'one of the mother’s backs' made me think of the whole 'step on a crack, break your mother's back' thing. I'd travel in spirit to your valley, but my cats would wonder where my spirit went, and take advantage of its absence.

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  13. I wonder if the valley is actual or metaphorical. Either way, the poem is lovely.

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  14. To merge geography and music.. What an intriguing thought. Music is something very special in the formation of my mind..

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  15. Yes, you paint a nice path between the notes :-)
    ZQ

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  16. A beautiful picture ...inspired by musical notes....nicely done.. :-)

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  17. Susan, the first stanza is just superb. I cannot play any musical instrument bit if I did I think I'd choose the cello or the saxophone.

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  18. I really like that first stanza! Music definitely has power.

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  19. There is a reason they call J S Bach the voice of God !

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  20. I like it. Being "citied" and "countried" I can't agree more.

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  21. I join your intention wholeheartedly. Hope we all hear your music. Happy day Susan.

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  22. Well, I wrote a previous comment. Don't know what happened to it, but it went suddenly blank. In it I wished you happy music always. And assured you that I join your intention wholeheartedly.

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  23. Music, the language the whole world understands...my youngest daughter plays cello...such a beautiful sound

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  24. The cello is my favorite instrument right up there with the bassoon (another story) The reason is that it is held and played with the whole body. Also it is a diminutive of my last name in Hungarian. But mostly because it's voice so deeply resonates with me physically. So it was simply a joy for me to read this poem and listen to the music . . .

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  25. Wonderful first stanza esp., and the ending opens the call to all

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  26. somehow I am tickled by this line:

    that plays sun and shade and bread and butter

    it contains all the wonderful things I grew up on: the sun, of course the shade, and a breakfast and lunch of bread and butter with warm tea...beautiful.

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  27. Like the idea of the valley being the intention and calling to each of us. Lovely write,

    Elizabeth

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