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The Fourth Tenor
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The Fourth Tenor |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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With broom held tightly in my hand, I swept the large stage floor, Cleaned up debris accumulated from the night before. The tenors had been ON last night, of that there was no doubt. The crowd had been delirious with seats again sold out. Carreras had been in rare form. Domingo's voice was sweet And Luciano Pavarotti brought them to their feet. How blessed I was to work with these great men the whole year through. Though but a stagehand I felt that I was important, too. I heard the echo of her footsteps down the center aisle And looked to see a gorgeous face with such a brilliant smile. I took my hat off quickly, did my best to stand up tall. One tries to look one's best when Sarah Brightman comes to call. "Excuse me, sir," I heard her say. "Could you please help me out? I need to know if, by chance, Pavarotti is about." "I'm sorry, Ms. Brightman," I said, voice filled with regret. "The three of them went out to lunch and haven't come back yet." "Oh, no!", she cried. "He promised me that, if I came along, He'd have the time to help me to rehearse my newest song. The edges are still rough, I fear, the ending not yet clean. Bocelli and I perform next week a duet for the Queen." "Ms. Brightman." I said, not believing that the voice was mine, "Forgive me if I seem to be a little out of line. Though I'm no Pavarotti, I've had some experience And I'd be glad to join you, if you care to take the chance." A look of absolute surprise showed up on Sarah's face. A lesser woman would have laughed but Sarah held her grace. I saw a tiny twinkle in the corner of her eye. She said, "All right, my stagehand friend, let's give this thing a try." From out of nowhere someone sat there at the baby grand. Ms. Brightman took a sheet of music, placed it in my hand. I stood there, shaking so bad I could barely hold the page. Just me and Sarah Brightman, there - alone - on center stage. The music started. She began, her voice so rich and clear I half expected rainbows and an angel to appear. Then my turn came. I made a small prayer to my virgin saint That she would give me strength enough to not fall down and faint. I felt the notes escape my lips and hover in the air. Ms. Brightman's eyes grew twice their size, sheer pleasure in her stare. My voice was so melodious, so rich in harmony, It seemed impossible that it was coming out of me! We sang. Oh, how we sang! Two perfect voices intertwined. Her face was lit in rapture and I'd no doubt so was mine. Her voice rose up and so did mine. Her voice fell. Mine did,too. So synchronized the song came from one throat instead of two. By now we both were crying. Tears came streaming from our eyes And still the notes came pouring out and rising to the skies. By this time we were lovers, hearts and souls completely bared, Orgasmic, this kaleidascope of passion we now shared. No world existed that we knew outside of this one song. No life or death, no rich or poor, not even right or wrong. My turn - her turn - then both together. On and on it went And, by the time it ended, we were both completely spent. We stood there for a second, stunned by what had taken place, Survivors of a bomb blast would have worn that kind of face, And though it would have pleasured me to stand there until dawn, She whispered, "Thank you, stagehand friend", then turned and she was gone. I hadn't known it at the time but, midway through it all, The tenors had returned from lunch and stood there in the hall. Their faces were in shocked amazement as we sang along, Then all rushed in, applauding, at the ending of the song. "Bravo!", Domingo shouted out. Carreras yelled, "Bravo!" And Pavarotti came to me, his face was all aglow. "Bravo", he smiled, admiringly. "What music you two make!" He clasped my shoulders in his hands. Then he began to shake…… He shook. He shook! "Wake up, my boy! This is no time to sleep. If I recall, we're paying you to use your broom and sweep!" He smiled, "Come on, my weary friend, get up and get to it. Don't want to see your favorite tenor slip into the pit!" Oh, no! It hadn't been at all the wonder it had seemed. 'Twas nothing but a figment of a weary stagehand's dream! The tenors chuckled, smilingly, then turned and walked away To leave me by myself to face the harshness of the day. I walked across the empty stage where Sarah and I stood. Though nothing but a fantasy, the memories tasted good. I looked out at the audience, acknowledged their "Encore!!", Then deeply bowed to empty seats and - smiling - swept the floor. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Thanks for reposting this one, Deer - It's one of my all time favorites...  |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Mine too Nan..  I really can visualise it.. HUSG |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, One of my favorites to. |
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linda munday Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315Adelaide, Australia |
Balladeer, you simply stun me... I cannot express easily how well you write. If I could achieve half of what you do with words then I would be one happy chickadee. How do you write so many? I put a new one on today, if you get a chance take a look, I really value your comments.... and i can take constructive help. thanks. Linda M. (The Pearl and the Diver) |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
{~,^} thank you... Sunny ~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller ~~~ When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
YOU ROCK!!!!!! this was SO COOL!!! and SO perfect!! and SUCH A PLEASURE TO READ!! take another bow--poetic god later cool-gator jm |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
This is a beautiful story, my friend. I hope my *vote* helps it get into the book! "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde "The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief" -Shakespea |
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FlyHigh Member
since 2000-06-21
Posts 84Bekkestua, Norway |
Another gem.. Geir -- "Luck affects everything. Let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it there will be a fish." Ovid (BC 43-18 AD) |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Ah Yes... I remember it so. Really enjoyed it the first time around... doubly so this time too. Consider your ticket punched... in a nice sort of way. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
I knew this one as soon as I saw the title...a vote from me is the least I can do |
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Moonshine Member
since 1999-10-01
Posts 265Australia |
Great poem Balladeer - I really enjoyed reading it "voted" J. |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
Perhaps you felt my presence as well, as my fingers on the ivory fell.... Where would we be without dreams? A sure winner. I love it. jamie Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil. "Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely". |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I thank you all for your gracious comments |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
You are so good! |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Well, hadn't seen this one before, but Bal, do you mind if I call you Bal. Thats not short for ballereena is it...well just checking..... I must admit you sure have a give for the weave...... wake up man your dreaming again...were paying you to be a moderator. Parker... I voted while you were sleeping. |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Damn' it "Deer" you are making it extremely hard for me to pick my favorite of yours  Every time I think I've found it you post another that just blows me away As of this moment this is my favorite of yours, at least until you post another All my love, Jeffrey |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
My all time favorite of yours, Balladeer! BRAVO!! Denise |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
ENCORE ! ENCORE !  ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Yes, one of my favourite too ! |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Simpy put: Beautiful. Alicat |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
Absolute perfection, my dear fellow...and that last line~ Bravo! ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
And now, my friend, I am bowing to you. This is wonderful, and the first time I've read it.A masterpiece among many. Bravo! Liz |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
I think Mrs. Brightman was one lucky lady to have had the opportunity to sing with that stagehand! Again, you have swept me up with your verse... I've always loved this one... glad you posted it for the book... my vote's in! And, btw, did you post "Statue in Central Park" in this forum for Voices? I didn't see it... if you didn't, could you? I'd like to see that one in print, too... < !signature--> "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx [This message has been edited by doreen peri (edited 07-01-2000).] |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Becaause I'm a stupid whatsit..*g* I forgot to vote on this and can't edit my post as I'm out of the 24 hours, so I'm back to cast that lost vote.. HUSG |
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jamesjiao Member
since 2000-04-12
Posts 268Backwaters of Avalon |
It's great deer.. it's difficult to incorporate conversations into a poem and you did it in perfect style!, every thing flowed and rhymed... gotta vote for this one. do hope the dream of your stagehand come true though - James The beauty of nature is displayed, not through itself, but through the creatures dwelling within its bosom. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
CLAP CLAP CLAP Claps all around Applauding the artist HURRAHS abound... *click* regards, sudhir |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
The rhymn to your ballads are impeccable. The fantasy touch was simply radiant. I mean, who wouldn't love it? I was so caught up in this, I felt the song, the tears, and the cold slap of reality at the ending!! It was quite frankly, orgasmic. God love ya !!!! Kathleen |
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MagnoliaBlue Member
since 2000-05-12
Posts 367 |
It's poetry like this that makes me smile and want to cheer... It's writing like this that make me think and wonder what I am doing here. Some poets here are so good and I can't quite rhyme it anymore... Now that my gentle muse has gone I'll let the rest of you have the floor. Wonderful writing Balladeer! MagnoliaBlue ~My Skipper Jim I love you! Your Lady June~ |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
ooops found one of yours without my vote...cant' have that now can we? besides I love this one |
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Gossamerwings Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207 |
GW [This message has been edited by Gossamerwings (edited 07-18-2000).] |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
you are such a wonderful poet 'Deer, I am so happy that I get be in a place like Passions where I get to see your work anytime I want! WOW! Thanks for this poem, and all the others, they are totally awesome! ~H |
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Heather Miller Member
since 2000-07-19
Posts 409Bryan, Ohio USA |
Very good, Wonderful dream, to bad we have to wake up sometimes huh? LITL. Heather With God all things are possible. |
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Yu Lan Senior Member
since 2000-04-13
Posts 1462New Zealand |
Wow deer.. this is great.. ^_^ this is the first of yours I have read, i don't know how I could have missed your poetry before.. I loved this.. ^_^ Luv, Lynne "He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened." Lao-tsu |
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Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Balladeer, To sing with Sarah Brightman is a fantasy worthy of a fine poem and this one measures up completely. As always Mike, you're the best. fh |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Echoing all of the above...adding a WOW. Bonnie |
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Poertree Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359UK |
and i thought it was all real till this line: "From out of nowhere someone sat there at the baby grand" ....... I'm glad someone appreciates our English talent!! well done Mr Deer Philip |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Another of my favorites Balladeer |
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