I Could Play Forever

**Last week, at a songwriters' workshop with Saskia O, Darrell De La Ronde, and Gary Fjellgaard, we were taught to listen for key phrases that could develop into a song or poem... so last night, after a particularly poignant performance of poetry and musical fusion, this comment lead to this poem... I hope you enjoy it!

I Could Play Forever...
by Janina M. Carlstad

He played
fingers rippling across the keys
like sunlight rays upon
brightest spring leaves
His notes were the sounds
of sun-sparkling waters,
racing clouds up in the sky
rushing rivers, shining peaks
nature's wonders
bound to meet the eye

She spoke quietly, reverently
of spirit and soul
of the forest and nature all 'round
his music, her words
a mutual goal
poetry fusing with sound
...then the flute began
with wheedling tones
of chickadee, songbird
Celebration alone
rising and falling with
his melody
the cadence, the rhythm
branching out like the trees

Cathedral ceiling reached up
suddenly ceasing to be
as the melody lifted
setting souls free
Stronger, Louder, and Long
enveloping one and all
in universal song...
As wonderment in the magic
of music grew
joyous smiles were exchanged
between the two...
The audience also ceased to be
as the celebration and wonder
between them burst free
each note magically matching
in rhythm and tone
exploring
Unison,
Fusion
of a song all their own...
As the last notes
in unity faded softly away
they smiled with the rapture
of playing music this way

At the end, he stood up
around the piano he strode
took her hand softly and long,,,
With a gentle smile that reached
to his eyes
he said,
"I could have played FOREVER
in this way,
with this song..."

They shared a look
each one
understood
murmuring thanks
as they would
for the melody shared
creativity there
before returning

inspired
to the Earth and
their chairs.