Sunday, June 6, 2010

King Lear's Wager...



ageless dust moved upon the sill
rafters began to vibrate as the crowd fell still
a single note, ringing true and clear
all said she’d fail, they knew it to be impossible
all save Lear

a single goblet wavered on its pedestal
the young waif reached deep within
her diaphragm tightened and air moved out
the tone so fresh, so true
the goblet shattered upon the floor

the good king laughed and clapped his hands
his wagers would be paid
this night he’d count his gold
but not before he’d married the maid

Magpie Tales

23 comments:

  1. Let us hope she returned his ardor .... so Shakespeare-like your Magpie!

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  2. lovely story, love your artwork too......blessings bkm

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  3. The remarkable thing about this poem is that it matches so perfectly with the experiences I've had in my life. Working in the music department at our regional university for 21 years, I've seen countless young people pass through the terror of performing their senior recital. Instrumentalist feel the same way but the vocalist, oh my, the vocalist must prove that him/herself is the finely tuned instrument that four years of training will launch them into their future. It is all in that one opening moment that makes it all happen; nerves are not an option.

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  4. Beautifully done.
    I wonder if Cordelia had been able to sing with a tone as true as this girl the kingdom wouldn't have been saved.
    rel

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  5. Hehe. I wrote a King Lear piece a while ago, so this one sits well with me.

    I wish I could remember what it was... ah, well.

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  6. Loved the King Lear reference! (singing really is all about the diaphragm)

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  7. brilliant magpie...i wonder how many other maids he has heard sung...

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  8. Well, for sure it's not a tragedy. The maid didn't fail; her singing was true, clear, fresh. Neither did King Lear; he was sure about her singing potential.and he won both gold and a wife.
    I LIKE IT.

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  9. You are ALL so kind! Your remarks make my day. I do so appreciate creating something that pleases others, I suppose that is the reward for artistic endeavors. Hats Off to Willow who created this wonderful site. Thanks so much.

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  10. Excellent!
    Thanks for visiting. Did you have this picture in mind?

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  11. I'm glad King Lear was wise and committed himself to the real treasure before counting the gold..this priceless gift of song cannot be measured in mere trinkets.

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  12. May they live happily ever after..in Shakespeare?? Quite something to be proud of!

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  13. So glad King Lear had some happiness before his tragic end! Nice take on the prompt!

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  14. Ah, the appreciation of true beauty before the shiny rock...the one eternal the other material.

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  15. When I finished reading, I felt like I'd been there and heard the maid singing myself.

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  16. Such a beautifully written Magpie... and quite a lovely story too! I would also like to compliment you on your beautiful blog ...very, very nice!

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  17. I just adore you Magpie. Amazing.
    Your art is stunning. You blog is stunning too!
    P.S. I LOVE the snow falling. I feel at Peace here. :)

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  18. WOW! You are all GREAT! Thanks for such positive comments. Such a wonderful group of extremely creative souls. Glad to be a part of this group.

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  19. Great Magpie, i really loved the King Lear ref., I adore anything to do with fairy-tales. You have some really nice artwork too:)

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  20. Excellent Magpie......and I love those dusty little flakes floating by....!

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