Heart string sorrows

Sadness pulls my heart strings

with a bow of rosin’d guilt,

tear drops stain the notes upon the page

 

Sorrowed cello whispers

of a soundless worry wilt,

harmonies distort beyond the stage

 

Out of tune concertos

midst excessive cymbals blare,

steady as the beat of gathered pain

 

Broken mirror rhythms

sit within the favored chair,

misery in musical refrain

 

Violin’d distractions

cried in melodies so thin,

echo in performed apologies

 

A cappella opus,

as a prelude to the hymn,

played by melancholy symphonies

 

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"Nobody likes sad songs, the ones about goodbye, songs about broken hearts with tears in your eyes, nobody likes sad songs but since you went away, it seems like sad songs are all I can play." Ronnie Milsap

Sometimes all we have are the sad songs to play. They say misery loves company so I'm not sure Ronnie was completely correct in his lyrics. I think sad people like to be affirmed in the hope they are not alone and will listen to every sad song that plays, usually with a whiskey glass in front of them. I think I've done that spiel before in another life. I enjoyed the read, even though, for now, I'm not sad. Cheers, F.

[willweb]

Thanks my friend and I am familiar with that song, though I wasn't ever a big Ronnie Milsap fan, I knew the song. I'm not really that sad either, at least not right now.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

He's a good old North Carolina boy like yours truly. He has a couple Grammys and a string of CMA awards so somebody apparently likes his music. I like a few of his songs, most of all "Smoky Mountain Rain". I enjoy all sorts of music though. I probably know the lyrics to at least a hundred thousand songs by heart. I played and sang a lot of covers in my performing days. It helps not to have to read from a karaoke screen. (laughing)

[willweb]

I did the same, performing that is, but the covers eventually lost their place to originals. There was just something about writing a song, performing it and watching people in the audience singing along with you. That feels really good. But I did early in do a lot of covers and I know what you mean about memorized lyrics.
The songs I remember most by Milsap are, "She keeps the home fires burning" and "I wouldn't have missed it for the world". I too like all styles of music from Frank Sinatra to Steppenwolf to George Strait to Backstreet Boys to Guns N Roses.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love John Kay. I saw him perform on a steel that he carries everywhere with him. He's a great writer as well as performer. Steppenwolf mainly got airplay with Born to be Wild and Magic Carpet Ride but he wrote some better songs I think. I still play his, My Sportin' Life on my six string acoustic all the time. I know a lot of hard rock, folk, country and in between. But my favorite genre is blues guitar music; Jeff Healey, Stevie Ray, Clapton, Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jonny Lang, and a host of older black musicians like Howling Wolf, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Lightning Hopkins, Blind Willie, Buddy Guy etc.

[willweb]

Pretty cool. We saw Steppenwolf a lot where I grew up. I loved Monster/Suicide/America. I have that CD in my truck and listen often. I was also a big fan of The Pusher. That was one cover song I did and I know it was written by Hoyt Axton. Rock Me Baby, Sookie Sookie, I was a huge Steppenwolf fan.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Yes, Monster/Suicide/America is prophetic and still relevant, maybe even more today. Good to know another fan. ;)

[DIVYA]

Absolutely loved this poem dear Willweb. Your word choice is exquisite and it left me just delighted with this read.

[willweb]

Thank you again Divya, I am happy you liked what you found here.

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome my friend.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I love this. I love the sadness of it and the beauty of the music written inbetween. It makes me think of an old song by the Scorpions, "Born To Touch Your Feelings." If you are not familiar with it, please look it up on YouTube. It's beautiful.

Born To Touch Your Feelings

I was born from the sound of the strings
For someone to give everything
To be a song just for your feeling

Close your eyes and I'll try to get in
Touch in your heart like the spring
'Cause I was born to touch your feelings

You've got your songs
They are everywhere for awhile
It's the only way to feel alright
You've got your songs
They are everywhere for awhile
Just the only way to feel alright

You were born just to lose or to win
To be someone's chime in the wind
To live between your mind and feelings

Find your way, check it out, learn each day
Follow the light, it's not in vain
And you will see I touch your feelings

You've got your songs
They are everywhere for awhile
It's the only way to feel alright
You've got your songs
They are everywhere for awhile
Just the only way to feel alright

[willweb]

I did just that and loved the song. I am a Scorpions fan but somehow have never heard that song before...now I have. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for sharing that music with me.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

My pleasure. I'm glad that you liked it.

[John the Baptist]

This sounds like the saddest piece of music since Samuel Barber's Adagio, and that's saying something. The reason for the dirge is not stated, but the speaker's words say enough by themselves. Every verse contains a different sad musical reference. Anyone who reads this while drinking wine and listening to country music should be on a suicide watch.

[willweb]

Thanks so much john...hey, drinking wine and listening to country music would be enough for me, I wouldn't need a poem to make it any worse. : )

[Ladysue]

The sound of sorrow released through music. I love how you portrayed this so creatively through each instrument. Beautifully written.

[willweb]

Thank you Ladysue for your kind words. I appreciate your visit.

[Betty Hermelee]

You make this sorrowful, melancholic music come to life... these instruments are your soul, your mood ,your heartstrings....an orchestra teeming with sounds of pain, the louder, the more pain....violins cry.. but it is really your cries of torment.... i don't know how you do it, but this is so expressive, agonizing and at the same time beautiful...
Best, B

[willweb]

Thank you so much betty. I am glad you stopped by my anguished poetic concert. : )

[Betty Hermelee]

it was very symbolic and very melancholic ....musoc of our moods....
You're very welcome wIll
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Will, I love how you used the language.
"Violin’d distractions
cried in melodies so thin,
echo in performed apologies"
The above lines. my favorite. Had the feel of a Gypsy night. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry. I did enjoy the poetry.
Coyote

[willweb]

Thanks so much again my friend. I always smile when you stop by.

[Coyote Poetry]

I am glad Will and you are welcome.

[K. Whittington]

I really love this, the way you write is beautiful. I absolutely love how you weave music throughout it, it just takes me to another place. You are very good!

[willweb]

Thank you again K. I am so happy you stopped by and enjoyed my poem. I appreciate you.

[Lorry]

And now I understand why Stevie Ray Vaughan sang "The sky is crying."
If someone were watching the movie playing in my head of the musical accompaniment, I would be right now doing that manly pretence of saying something was in my eye, will dabbing at it annoyingly and pretending it had flown off and could probably have been pterodactyl in size! 😊

[willweb]

Wow, that is a pretty big dust particle you got stuck in there, let me get a claw hammer, maybe we can get it out. : ) Thanks Lorry,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Beethoven would have really appreciated this poem...it would remind him of his own symphonies.
Sure do like the alliteration and just the way you use sound in general in your poetry.
j.

[willweb]

Thank Jacob. I never really saw it as using sound but it makes sense. I guess being a musician, sound has a lot to do with a lot of things for me.