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The Fourth Tenor
| Open Poetry #3 |
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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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pardon the length. I got carried away..... 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 with 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 were still 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 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer, what a dream. I think I lived one similar with Andrea Bocelli just yesterday. All I can say is you sing your song well! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Existant reality begins as but a dream. You're good, my friend...  |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is perhaps the most beautiful thing that I have ever experienced! Thank you for the experience! BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!! ------------------ Denise |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
You managed to do it again Sir Balladeer. Lengthy? I was at the end of your tale in no time. I was there, I was the stagehand. Although I am far from a tenor! Bravo! |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Now see there balladeer, the reason I can't read 7 Balladeer's in one night is because something like this should be savored...like a fine bottle of wine. Seven of these and my head would be spinning. You tell a story like no other...and this is a good one. ------------------ Michael Anderson Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream? |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Martie....Bocelli is a great choice. Thank you. Nan....Yes, it does , for sure. Denise...Did you really like it? hehe Thank you So much!! Marilyn....thank you for being the stagehand. That means a lot. Michael....Don't worry. You'll never see seven! Thanks for your warm comments. |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
So wonderful. I even heard the music. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 09-28-2001).] |
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
I could see the lights, the stage, you and Ms Brightman.....wonderful.BRAVO Sir.A story like no other.Still hearing the song..... ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
As always...a real pleasure to read. You are, indeed, quite a remarkable storyteller. Thanks for, yet another, wonderful gift. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
Oh My!!!! Too long? I think not!! I did not want this to end ...... You are, by far, The MASTER Storyteller, and I cannot get enough of your MASTERPIECES!! Bravo, my Deer! Bravo! Sorry for screaming here, but I couldn't help geting carried away.......... Taking names now for the Balladeer Fan Club! ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams [This message has been edited by Pepper (edited 10-23-1999).] |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
I tell you, Mike....I lack the words to decribe how much your pieces like this affect me. From the beginning and as time goes on, you never fail to touch me in those places many can not reach. Thank you, sweet. You are a true talent. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, A privilege just to call you my friend. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
'Deer one... don't ever apologize for the length of a strand of priceless pearls. *S* Bravo!!! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
...way too short. More, more. The music, the voices, the light, the chemistry...it was ALL there. Thank you, Master Storyteller. |
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Witch's Brat Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 100 |
Made me smile... ------------------ |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Balladeer: You know when you're reading a really good book but you hate to keep turning the page cause it's one less page to read?..Well, I felt like this about your performance and it is first class! HUSG ------------------ You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
What a wonderful group of people to write for! I thank all of you very much and appreciate you more than you know. |
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
Well worth the time to read Balladeer. I could feel it drawing me in anticipating what was coming next...nice job. ------------------ Julie ------------------------- Almost all our misfortunes in life come from the wrong notions we have about the things that happen to us. >Stendhal |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Don't worry about the length, Balladeer. I enjoyed every word. ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." "Something sweet, something sort of grandish, sweeps my soul when thou art near..." |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
You have to be the best story teller I've ever happend across! This was fantastic and deserves an ENCORE!!! Most excellent story, and I didn't think it was too long at all! Lots of detail and made ya feel like you were right there seeing it all! Well, well done!!!!!!!! |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Well done, my friend. |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
This was exquisitely done. It flowed like the very song that it described, and it was not at all over-lengthy. I think, sir, that I shall read this one again. --Kess ------------------ You cannot choose the way of your death, but the path you choose will determine its own end. |
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Deb Lynne Member
since 1999-08-19
Posts 180Where blue skies meet blue ocean |
You Sir Balladeer.... stand a take a bow! This one is the BEST!!! Shows that inside of each of us, there exists a dream. No matter how silly. Thank you for this one. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Once more, a wonderful story, well told by a master story teller |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sir Balladeer: Once again my friend, you have proven the truth of your name. You are a story teller at his best and we all thank you for the sharing of your gifts and talent. A most enjoyable read |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
What an absolutely incredible story. The imagery and even the audio were right there in my grasp. I felt as if I was part of the audience listening to beauty immeasurable. Very good!! ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Again, my sincerest thanks to you all. ------------------ There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works. |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
How absolutely captivating!! As a die-hard fan of the three tenors and Ms. Brightman, your poem is like a little video in my mind! I will have to post my "Il Suono de Belleza" for you, Balladeer! Andrea Bocelli is singing his heart out through my CD player at this very moment I love this poem! ------------------ "Tread softly, for I have spread my dreams under your feet"~~William Butler Yeats |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
Your words are indeed as music should be. A painting on our shared electronic canvas. I can only echo the sentiments above. Bravo, Balladeer. ------------------ No matter where you go, somebody's probably already been there and gotten the parking space... |
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Craig Member
since 1999-06-10
Posts 444 |
Another great one, I have yet to read one of yours that is any less! ------------------ Yes, I admit your general rule. That every poet is a fool: But I myself may serve to show it. That every fool is not a poet. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
An expert at sweepin' floors is one thing, And killin' bugs is still another, Or a tenor that can truly sing, Or writin' poetry like you do my brother! |
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Iloveit Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121NM |
*curtsies gracefully to the master story teller and joins the applause* great job loved this, where would we be without our dreams and our reasons to smile? |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I've often come back to read this again... I simply can't tire of perfection. *S* Did you know that this poem was the first time I'd ever heard of Bocelli? *S* And then one day I heard his voice... and cried even though I didn't understand a word. *S* I immediately had to play hound dog, hunting down the source of such beauty... and now I never listen to him without remembering this poem. *S* |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Suthern girl, you're coming close to making me cry right now...thank you, sweet lady. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Suthern girl, you're coming close to making me cry right now...thank you, sweet lady. |
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