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This Poem was Submitted By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2003-10-25 15:08:19 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Sweet, Sweet Music (II)

Fusion jazz, razz-ma-tazz, Bach, rock, and rap. Happy the treat of a Scot-sweet fling then a sigh for Cliburn's hand span. So much to sing: swing, hip-hop, bebop and blues. Oh, the majesty of a tenor's high C, a soaring bel canto, Gregorian chant, and "Amazing Grace" performed by Jesse Norman. The Aida march, arches of arias in Turandot, the echo shock of the shriek-reach of Hendrix. Ella sang, as does Lang, with the balm of Brahms easily calming conflicts. Through the ages, composers have written pages of euphony. For many like me, music is key, the truest reality, and I am eternally smitten.

Additional Notes:
Sweet, Sweet Music (I) referred to the music of the cosmos. Part II details some of my musical preferences. Dedicated to all lovers of music.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2003-11-05 08:06:26
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.55000
It saddens me to have to say I do not know music like many of you do ....other then country I do not listen.......I have poems that have been placed to music and again it is of the country nature along with gospel/country.......to me there is nothing more calming to my soul then this kind of music.....though just the other day I went to my 40th class reunion and theyplayed songs from the 60's and I found myself singing to each one of them for the words were deeply placed within my mind and just jumped out......like the structure of this piece, the word flow, one can see the swing taking place, hear the beat, feel the move of the floor perhaps under your feet......indeed a grand piece for those that enjoy this music and the joys it further brings to their own soul. Thank you for posting, for sharing this with us, and again, for the memories you brought out in the child in me...hehehe......be safe my friend, looking forward to more of your work....God Bless, Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jane A Day On Date: 2003-11-04 21:08:43
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.11765
Dear Mell, I very much enjoy the tribute. I wish just a bit more time with each voice, each song, so I can get the full homage rather than a listing. You do a good job caputing the beat and twang of the music and I just want you to play more in the possiblities of each unique shimmy. There is more opputrnity for play here. I really enjoy the tour. Thanks as always, Jane

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2003-11-01 00:25:33
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.95652
Dear Mell: I hope you will forgive me for being so late to critique!While I was gone for a week I also sprained my wrist, which makes writing one-handed a tedious endeavor. But I read this wondrous entry before and enjoyed, absorbed and reveled in it - now I want to offer my appreciation and a few words. This is definitely a poem to fall in love with. You write so well of music - and the theme is in many of your works- if not directly then indirectly in your sounds. But this one is HEAVENLY! "balm of Brahms" - indeed! I love your description of music as your "truest reality." I believe, also - more than that - feel - that music is what the universe is made of and one of life's greatest pleasures. I felt that this poem was dedicated to 'me' as well as to all lovers of music as you said in your Additional Notes, because it is truly one of the required ingredients for quality of life. I am rambling - because I can think of so many responses your poem evoked for me. Fusion jazz, razz-ma-tazz, Bach, rock, and rap. Happy the treat of a Scot-sweet fling then a sigh for Cliburn's hand span. ******************* I'd be happy had I only read this far - and made 'stars' after "hand span" because I have to tell a story in response to this stanza. Well - it's more of an autobiography but I will try to keep it short. <smile> Jazz was my first love - Dave Brubeck's "Night Train" et al. Then Bach - my first recording was of Albert Schweitzer's performance - wish I could remember the name of the place. More recently, I went to hear Olga Kern of Russia, winner of the Van Cliburn competition in June, 2001. It was thrilling, and brought back many memories of listening to Van Cliburn albums. See, it's impossible to read this poem without re-experiencing some of life's best moments - at least for this reader! So much to sing: (And sing you do!) swing, hip-hop, bebop and blues. --ah, what can I say about bebop or the blues? Oh, the majesty of a tenor's high C, a soaring bel canto, Gregorian chant, and "Amazing Grace" performed by Jesse Norman. --See, I'm overwhelmed, remembering how many times a "high C" has brought involuntary ters - as has "Amazing Grace" - and Jesse Norman!! The Aida march, arches of arias in Turandot, the echo shock of the shriek-reach of Hendrix. --incredible onomatopeia Have to stop here to add how the Grand March from Aida was given as a kind of gift once. I once stayed in a small hotel in a very noisy neighborhood, and was internally fretting that I'd never get any sleep. But every night around bedtime, someone - or maybe it was an angel? - played an old recording (you could hear the scratchiness of a 78 rpm at high volume) of this march. I felt blessed beyond measure. Just listened-watched Turandot on DVD - a friend lent it to me - as performed at the Forbidden City of Beijing. Ella sang, as does Lang, with (You know how much I love Ella!) the balm of Brahms easily calming conflicts. Through the ages, composers have written pages of euphony. For many like me, music is key, the truest reality, and I am eternally smitten. And you've given the gift of music once again in this poem, and made me remember (for one) how much like "falling in love" listening to good music of any genre truly is. I am "smitten" with this poem - and late to tell you so, but no less sincere. Brava!! WONDERFUL!! Thank you for writing this. Now I need a sequel. <smile> A true (HUGE)fan of yours, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne Duval Morgan On Date: 2003-10-30 10:50:04
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.86667
You know Mell music does sooth the savage breast, and maybe since the inception of man reacted to the rawness of the cosmos, music lovers were born, to feel the beat and sway to the rhythm, as a child reacts to the sound of a Mother's Luttaby, yes, music lovers sense the rawness sensation in their cells, the spirt is infected, and thus music has transpired from dancing to a drum beat around fire, to the mostery's playing with Gregorian chants, to the coming out and interpertation of all the wonder artists you cite from Ella, to Van Kilburn, and his feats at so young a age, to show the way with his wonderful talented. What I loved was the incorporation of the complete mixture you captued by naming the beats, jazz, raz ma taz, right down the line, to the mellowness of music that quiets the soul. Music is something my body and spirit has always swayed to, that inborne capturing that can't be dinied. Will dance to all forms and styles for it like the call of long ago, to the quiet chants, the liveleness of jazz, to all the styles mentioned. Yes music is cosmosic, and can't be denied. When things seem to pile up and try to dimish the spirit, music is the only medicine that cures. Another excellent presentation, with the lyrics, that move deftly to include all the beats that capture us, and why not we are a part of the cosmos, some get trapped by never letting loose, your poem is so apt, and so well constructed it is a song in its own right. You're a mavel, and never cease to amaze me with your writing talens, not just words, but movement and sensation that climbs the ladder of emotions. There is anything I would even remotely suggest, it's together, and very lyrical with a cadence that only Mell can construct, for no-talents like myself to complete enjoy. I will anser your we-mail, right now I'm fighting edema, which is difficult to contend with, gained over 40 pounds of body weight due to the edema, so the brain is really fighting to finish these comments, and hope I was articulate enough, but the month is running out, and I did want to comment. A fan here, always, Love Jo

This Poem was Critiqued By: Drenda D. Cooper On Date: 2003-10-28 11:31:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.80000
Mell, Well, you have done it again. In your unmistakable style with the running interal rhymes is part II of "Sweet. Sweet Music". I love so many different kinds of music (and I do believe that you managed to incorporate most of them) that this was an absolute delight to read. ALOUD!! Because the sounds that this poem makes is music to the ears...You really hit on one of my all time favorites (Amazing Grace) which always gives me goosebumps when I hear it (especially on bagpipes)...I liked the rhythm of this ...you managed to merge poetry with music in this one..add a melody and you have perfection. OF course this one compared to Sweet Music I is less esoteric and more pragmatic in presentation (and rightly so)... I will not copy the poem and go line by line but to say that every line is filled with rhyme, rhythm, assonance, resonance, and alliteration.. You really hit a note with me on this one for I share your love of music as well as poetry and our tastes in both seem to run in tandem....Although I cannot make it (music, that is) I can certainly enjoy it, revel in it, from opera to jazz, for I , too, am "eternally smitten." In this poem your choices as examples of the genre of music you are typifiying in each instance was a marvel and allowed the poem to literally "sing". IT also gave the most umph! and OOM PAH PAAH imagineable in the brief space of this wonderful poem. Brevity is good. Music is good. This poem is excellent....... ..........What else can I say????.................drenda

This Poem was Critiqued By: Rebecca B. Whited On Date: 2003-10-26 19:42:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ah, Mell, sweet, sweet music; lullabies for the soul, universal aphrodisiacs for lovers, a balm for those who grieve. Music in its many forms, stimulates our hearts, soothes our souls. It is evidenced by the sheer power of your words that you enjoy music of many and varied venues, as do I. This poem sings of assonance, alliteration, internal rhyme, candence, rhythm, and audio imagery filling my mind with the image of one enjoying/savoring the gift of music! Need I say more? I am smitten with your writings! Bravo! Beck

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2003-10-26 17:30:43
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.37931
Hi Mell, Well Dang...I think you have written another winner!! I just love this one as music is one of my favorite parts of this transitory life. I play the piano and sang a lot when in school and also with a group of mothers when my children were small and the church choir. I am sad to say that is not the case now and I seem to write more than play my piano...I would go out dancing every night if I just had a 'sugar daddy' to dance with me. The sounds you have created in this piece are delcious as is the subtle rhyming...it really tantalizes me. In fact one could easily tap their feet while reading aloud these wonderful word choices. "A sigh for Cliburn's hand span" Oh how I love to hear him play as I have a tendancy to play the classics...that is I did when I practiced a lot...."swing, hip-hop, bebop, and blues"..I am tapping my toe now. ..."The Aida march, arches of arias in Turandot"...wonderful..."For many like me, music is key the truest reality, and I am eternally smitten." You most certainly are a muscian as well as a talented writer and poet as this piece could only be written by someone who loves and understands music. I am so glad you are back to writing and I hope your health is improving and we will again be graced with your wonderful work. I am going to Texas for Xmas this year but will spend it with my son and his family in Granite Shoals..however I will get off the plane at Ft Worth first as I must see Caden again..he is growing way too fast. I probably won't have time to call but will try to give you a ring if at all possible. Stay well. Blessings and love...Marilyn

This Poem was Critiqued By: Sherri L Smith On Date: 2003-10-26 01:06:28
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Mell, It is so good to hear your "poetic" voice again. I think the way that you outlined all the music that you like was great. I liked your formatting and the poem itself just seemed to flow just like a sweet lullaby. Hope you are doing well, Sherri

This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2003-10-25 23:19:08
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.28571
Mell--Actually, I myself don't mind a little 'scat' by Ella and friends. This is a fun piece and a sure fire indication that you like a variety of music styles/types:"...hip-hop, bebop and blues" and "...Bach, rock and rap." . Your mixture of "inner rhymes", i.e., "Fusion jazz, razz-ma-tazz" and Ella sang, as does Lang...", is cute. The alliteration used gives an oxymoron affect/"...calming conflicts...". The collection of musicians/music that you've put together here (some known to me some not)I don't doubt is representative of "euphony"; there also is good deal of cacophony on the rise these days also-smile. Thanks for allowing us at TPL a peek at your musical tastes. Keep it coming! TLW

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jordan Brendez Bandojo On Date: 2003-10-25 16:19:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.81481
Hi Mell, You just give me a nuclear reaction in which dance and music combine to lilt me with the simultaneous release of energy! The energy that this poem gives is more than enlivening! I am fond of music as well! Preferably, I like classical music when I am about to sleep, and when I am in love. I like pop music and a little rock when I am just doing something in my room. And of course, I like fast dance music when I feel like dancing, I like to dance and accustom it as an exercise, you know? When I write poem, I don't listen to music, I want solemn. How about you? You started to mention fusion jazz....a music that blends jazz elements and the heavy repetitive rhythms of rock. The association fo Cliburn is a manifestation of an original concept. As far as I know, Cliburn was an American pianist who was the first American to win the Tchaikovsky Prize (1958)---I researched it. I am not familiar with him, though. I like the sound created by jazz/razz/tazz, rock/rap, hand/span, they add up to the enlivening rhytmn! The second strophe made me hum with....swing, hip-hop, bebop and blues!!! The inclusion of the religious chant "Gregorian chant" just gives me a thought that religious songs are also great especially to alleviate the weariness of the soul. I love Amazing Grace! I am not that familiar with Aida march, Turandot, Hendrix, etc, but I like their inclusion because they promotes originality. Alliterations are also applied here like balm/Brahms, calming/conflicts, etc. They also has an enlivining effect which is a good ingredient to have a lilting theme like this! For many like me, music is key, ---I am thinking of adding "a" to have "music is a key". Maybe, It can distract the rhytmn? Poetry rules! Don't bother anyway! You are eternally smitten....that is how it is to say that music is the language of our soul. Yep, I have read your Sweet, Sweet Music (I), it is wonderful too and that is more deep! A song soothes our soul us just like a poem! Do you agree, Mell? Thank you in a million, I am revigorated today! Take care, Jordan.

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