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Open Poetry #6
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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2000-04-12 07:15 AM



The Contralto

Waking minutes became hours,
months, then years all spent
under thumbs of dominant dons,
now she wonders where her life went.

No playtime in the yards of friends,
countless days she stood by the piano,
practicing with perfect passion,  
to become the next diva soprano.

She sang in Salzburg, they loved her in Vienna,
played to a sold-out house at the Met,
but all the while something was missing,
a troubling air she could not forget.

Toured far-off cities, roses at her feet,
but always returned alone to her suites,
ordering room service, watching TV,
or walking the early morning streets.

Then something strange occurred,
her voice lost its upper range,
as if mirroring her emotions,
and an abrupt midlife change.

Depression descended and
loneliness overwhelmed,
desire faded, stage lights dimmed,
no longer the queen of the realm.

Her last performance a joke,
the social column read the next day,
“So long soprano, been good to know you,
but who needs a Contralto, anyway?”

These dreams were never hers,
her parents had lived vicariously,
she thought of her many regrets,
cried until she laughed hysterically.

© 2000 CM Bailey


© Copyright 2000 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
1 posted 2000-04-12 07:19 AM


Interesting.... I really hope she realizes that she now has a reprieve - and she can still do all the "stuff" she's always dreamed of..  
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
2 posted 2000-04-12 10:01 AM


Oh Girl...I do love your style  
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
3 posted 2000-04-12 11:32 AM


Thanks, Nan!

Hoot, love yours too!

Corinne

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2000-04-12 11:36 AM


Corinne,
Wonderfully done. Your talant is showing on this one. *L*

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-04-12 01:29 PM


This is excellent, Corinne! I love it!

Denise

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2000-04-12 04:14 PM


Very lovely your concerns for this now set free lady of song.  James
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