The Big Licorice

I think this was a contest or challenge regarding a musical instrument.

 

The Big Licorice

 

I am my own voice, my own tune,

fighting for my few minutes of fame,

not the licorice stick

laughing gull of a b-flat clarinet,

nor the jazzy brass

of some sultry tenor sax,

but a deeper vibration

drawn from thick dark wood

and my nickel-plated bell and neck.

I am smooth as a cool salty breeze

on a warm, starlit August night.

And my mouthpiece and those reeds,

the fattest of any woodwind,

are just asking for a strong mouth

and firm full lips

to send steady waves of sound

down my smooth gullet,

to shimmer in expectant air,

skim acoustic tiles and float suspended

above rich maroon velvet seats,

occupants barely hearing

the deep tones of my contribution.  

But it’s there, in the warm undertones

of a full size band,

as I march in formation

at this year’s homecoming game,

in the melody of a sweet woodwind quintet.

My bass sounds take flight

nimble as a bumble bee,

but ready to sing

the deepest songs of your soul.

 

 

Reviews

[Pamela]

Wonderful. This poem conjures up all the senses, sight, sound, hearing and feel. From the breath from your lungs to the resonant sound from the barrel you take the reader through the whole experience. I love your dispatch of the other 'unworthy' instruments.

Sexy too
send steady waves of sound
down my smooth gullet,
to shimmer in expectant air

Terrific, well done.

[Barry S. Maltese]

I sat down quietly reading this piece. Yet in my mind danced the visions of the last concert that I went to see. The music of the ensemble relaxed and calmed every fiber of my being. Your description of the instrument and it's golden tones gave a majestic aura to the beauty it produces. Your composition here is marvelous, and enjoyable. Great job!!

PS- I am a member of the Rotary Club here in my area. One of the things of which I am most proud.

[Ebby]

I read this with the sound off, to grasp the language, and with the sound up to experience the poetry. A most erotic of writes, personally. The language of music can touch so deeply.
I particularly liked this;

I am smooth as a cool salty breeze
on a warm, starlit August night.
And my mouthpiece and those reeds,
the fattest of any woodwind,
are just asking for a strong mouth
and firm full lips
to send steady waves of sound
down my smooth gullet,

Thank you for inviting me to read this piece, David. Kind regards.

[Krystal Waters]

Very nice... so true. Everything put into one makes a whole, to complete. The undertones you spoke of maybe aren't jazzy, super star, but it is what makes the super star ROCK. Your words had an undertone of our own lives, a metaphorical view of wives who stay home with their children to raise, good decent human beings with morals, values and ethics. The corner where you always see the man who has a smile for you each day, brightens you up. The spare change you put in a box for charity.
I really did like this piece and the thought you put into every stanza. I would give you a TEN but there are only five stars. Good job.
Kristine

[Randall Richard]

nice piece, nice music. has the feel of a poem written for a contest though, which it was, a poem yoou were challenged to write instead of a poem you couldn't help but write, but good still

[Gandré]

David, I am enchanted. wonderful clarinet.
Also the presentation of your poem with a song and with a picture is wonderful.

When I read and listen to music, it makes in me feelings of a will in order to find answer to questions, somewhere deep in my mind.

and firm full lips
to send steady waves of sound
down my smooth gullet,
to shimmer in expectant air,
skim acoustic tiles and float suspended
above rich maroon velvet seats, ====>>>my favorite lines. Beautifuuuuul !

the poem is so perfect, claiming posession of my attention. Every line said is a metaphor and the way how you brought them together - amazing! Provoking! Mind blowing!

[C. Harter Amos]

Very uniquely written from the first person of the instrument. I love the piece, so nicely descriptive and full of the sounds that you have us listening to with the words. The hair (actually) stood up on the back of my neck with the beginning sounds and words. "...to send steady waves of sound down my smooth gullet, to shimmer in expectant air, skim acoustic tiles and float suspended above rich maroon velvet seats," "I am smooth as a cool salty breeze on a warm, starlit August night." I found your choice of words rich and wonderfully correct, and to someone who has played a reed instrument, the whole piece was enchanting. Thank you. - Mimi.

[T. L. O'Neal]

I really enjoyed this and the approach you used to describe it and the playing of it. I love the woodwinds, but I would have to say that the oboe is my favorite of all of them. T

[Antony]

Hey David, you don't know how much I enjoyed this poem, I am a big fan of the clarinet player, I have a friend that plays jazz and we have so much fun. He plays clarinet and sax, I am a true music lover and enjoyed this. thanks for sending it
Tony