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Open Poetry #14
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The Fourth Tenor.........last one, Mushy
| Open Poetry #14 |
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The Fourth Tenor.........last one, Mushy |
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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 kaleidoscope 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 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
good to see you in top form again, this is great! |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, NO not the last please, these are pure magic, I would like more, pretty please  This is another triumph, no one does it like you Take care love as always Mushy   Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well yanno I said you are good, so let's go to the story shall we? I am heading off to bed dear Balladeer and I shall dream of my Neverland once more, because you say it is okay to do so. You see, you in these stories tell me it is okay to dream, to pretend that real life doesn't exist, and that is okay, so thanks for this wonderful fantasy, and now I am off in a cloud of pixie dust, and I blow you a kiss, with a small request...yes, more please sir, some more!  "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Michael...you are a fabulous storyteller! The stage hand's dream....very well written.....full of the real that fantasy can produce. "reality seldom bears the possibility of imagination!" And Sarah Brightman! God! that lady's voice sends the shivers right up my spine.... I made the comparison between her and Madonna singing, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina".....and.... there was no comparison........from soothing to cresendo Sarah's crispness and emotional inflection were far superior! Thanks for the wonderful story I'm sure Mushy will appreciate it so much! The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh you master poet you ... take as many bows as you like on this stage ... I'll just keep on applauding! A wonderful story Michael, you built up the emotions and excitement beautifully. What a treasure! Best wishes, /Kit |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
It is wonderful to see a poet take to all forms of art....music is something that can touch the soul, whether we know the words, or not, but to hear it come from the heavens, devine.... some hear with their heart...others hear with their heart, and soul.... you do all that, then listen...with imagination.... thank you.... |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Mr. Deer, never say "the last"!! This was so very beautiful and thank you for sharing it with us. I love their great music and now every time I hear them I will think of this STAGE HAND. You did good , Mother_E |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Yeah - One of my favorites... Oh - I forgot - They're all my favorites...  |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Please give us more, please!!! Just do it for the newbies, Yes? I really enjoy them so much. This type of poetry I write in Dutch, can't do it in English (don't know enough synonimes(?)) so it's hard to find rhyming words. Please let me enjoy a bit more. Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
I do believe the word "favorite" means "Balladeer"....somewhere.... |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
In my basso profundo I waver tremelo to the movement of this lyric. Enjoyed. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Hi ya, 'Deer - I see you have not lost a bit of your terrific talent for writing - I enjoyed your poem very much. A response will be coming post haste. |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, Okay I don't cre about th newbies, well do an if they get to see how a real writer allows the tale to develope. I know not everyone is as dim as I am, and will have had millions of vists to the archives. hatever these are still as fresh and as vibrant as they were. Timeless, quality is timeless, and this is quality. Keep 'em coming kid, bring them all back, hey we can start a classic section. love as always Mushy   I had to comeback I forgot to put it in my library, whoops, but I would've anyway, comeback I mean. (Thank you it now goes in y 'Deer collection) Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
Oh 'Deer? LJA's back.... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I visit this one often, Deer One... It's beyond superb... and your last reply to me back in archives gets you a great big SMOOCH! *S* And wouldja look at who came stumbling in to reply? *G* Am I hallucinating, or did a sailor saunter through? LOL |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
*sigh* the last one....can't believe that...as there are too many mushy ladies around who love to read mushy poetry. especially from your hand I guess. love it Dear. excellent as always. Charisma |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Aha... and everyone thought you were just mopping floors... Enjoying it just a little too much, you were....  ... Whistle while you work, Deer... This is one of my favorite favorites, btw...  |
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