Opus

When you sit it begins. A libretto[1] won’t help you
understand it better. There’s no ordinary motif],
just that resounding drone hiding under the overture.
So grandioso[2]. The power of the opera where a little make-up and,
expressionist mime become a hoax. All of a sudden –
you’re somebody else.

Through the binoculars you see the lights out on the sea,
thoughts of nocturnes long ago. They were only
the scattered fisherman’s lamps.
An interlude in between the shadows. The wind howls and the sea shines as,
you watch your life revolve like the white wash astern before your eyes –
and you stand forte[3] on the terrace.

The pain chases you verismo[4]. The melancholic ghosts
take a minor hold of you. Their falsetto[5] embodies your desire for life,
but the moon emerging from a cloud makes death sweeter.
A glissando[6] from one moment to another. You find yourself
shedding a tear and you’re drowning…presto[7]. It’s life that has a finale[8] –
not its capriccio[9] melody.

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[1] The text of an opera or any other vocal work.
[2] Played grandly.
[3] Loud /strong.
[4] Modeled after every day life.
[5] A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords, the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.
[6] Sliding between two notes.
[7] A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.
[8] Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.
[9] A quick, improvisational, spirited piece of music.