Introspection on the Muse

Is it that beautiful?
We get a feeling for it as it goes by
A brief moment of cognition
On a duet between lines, or a suspension
Or just a nice chord.

We aren't hardened or jaded, truly we aren't;
But we work so hard on
Breathing
Tone
Placement
Tempo
Rhythm
Support
Energy
Vowels
Consonants
Word stress
Sensitivity
Reading vertically
Dynamics
And a million other things --

That sometimes we just lose our vision of
Harmony
Essence
Emotion
Order
Balance
Transcendence
Beauty
and Truth.

It's only in retrospect,
In reflection on our sense-memory
And in the treasured recordings
That we recall,
And remember,
And are so very grateful.

[4/19/99]

(Dedicated to the Lane Justus Chorale, Tucson, Arizona)