If we wrote the words of a song,

would we only use one word, dull?

If we wrote the music to this song

would we only use one note, bland?

If we sang this song

would we give it life with rhythms?

Or would it be sung dull and blandly?

 

If we sang our dull, bland, monotone song

would we expect people to appreciate

what we were trying to say?

If an orchestra played our music

would we think that people could enjoy it

or would their minds wander

and their thoughts take flight?

 

For even a triangle

may be played well and clearly

the volume and speed of the notes

adding that special flavour

only available from triangles.

Then why do we read those precious words

which have been given to us

without expression?

Without conviction?

Without grammar?

 

Are we sharing our poem or

covering it with a thick tarpaulin?

Making sure that our emotions

and those we want others to feel

lie dead and dank on ears,

which came to share and

have now been cheated!

 

 

David Garlick, Sidney, April, 2007