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Friday, August 29, 2025

Music Theory poem

 Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Karen Edmisten* for Roundup.

This week's ArtSpeak: PICASSO is on the subject of music—No doubt because I attended my annual adult strings weekend last weekend. :)

The power of music has been well documented. I love how music connects us—and as a musician in an ensemble, I love how every musician matters, yet we are at our best when we are indistinguishable from one another. The whole goal is one-ness. Which means letting go of ego, disappearing into the beautiful ether. Lovely, yes? Thanks so much for reading!



Music Theory

we are in pieces

our bodies
harbor oceans

music bleeds
through our skin
like starlight

each note
cleaving us
together        apart

together again

 - Irene Latham
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8 comments:

  1. Carol VarsalonaAugust 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM

    Irene, the concept of togetherness-one-ness. Your poem is so well structured with beautiful thoughts and format that the togetherness theme flows through. each note
    cleaving us
    together apart
    together again
    It is so important in this time frame to become a living part of a community without continually standing in the limelight. I am happy to know that your music group gives you peace and happiness.

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  2. Linda MitchellAugust 29, 2025 at 10:36 AM

    "our bodies/harbor oceans" is magical.

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  3. tanita✿davisAugust 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM

    Oh, this is lovely - I really like the cleaving us/ together/apart/together again. I adore a good contronym, and what a fun use of it here to echo the way harmony divides our water metaphor into tributaries then back to the main body of the ocean. Music theory, water cycle, what DIDN'T you cover here!?

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  4. Michelle KoganAugust 29, 2025 at 10:56 PM

    Beautiful metaphors one weaving into the next rising, falling , and rising again, as music does too, thanks for sharing, and congrats on your strings weekend!

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  5. Robyn Hood BlackAugust 30, 2025 at 3:22 PM

    Wow - what a great capture of the ensemble experience, Irene! Not that I've been in one (maybe in 8th grade), but I am so delighted you have had the discipline and passion to keep up with your cello. Kudos to you! xo

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  6. Karen Edmisten August 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM

    "Our bodies/harbor oceans" -- sigh. I also love the movement and rhythm that are evoked through:

    each note
    cleaving us
    together apart

    together again

    Fabulous!

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  7. Denise KrebsAugust 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM

    Irene, lovely importance of the way musicians work together to make one ensemble. And that contronym cleave is perfect in these last lines:

    cleaving us
    together apart

    together again

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  8. Rose CappelliAugust 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM

    A beautiful tribute to the musical ensemble, Irene! Love that internal structure at the end.

    ReplyDelete

Your thoughts?