expectations held in a moments’ breath
before the start to Schubert's impromptu
we feel them coming
the lost children of the world
as if from a mountain path
along the first strains of the piano
        our senses hear them
before the lyric scene sets our vision
imagination shows us
bowls held by tiny fingers
hungry for life
starved for love, affection
and that expression of hunger as they march
little heads in unison
stretched in the downward direction
of the needy
the left behind
arpeggiated descending notes
depicting procession
a parade in our minds’ vision
        rhythms as they breathe
in and out
up and down
expectations of survival
for a life needing to be cherished
        tapped out with each shadowy step
are of harmonies in constant modulation
steps forward, toward the green valley
of hope just beyond
it rises as it does to greet them
open arms through a juxtaposition in the base chords
that suggest a tension that grows, then dies
into a reflective mood
one that welcomes
sunlit trees that invite
standing grand in their path
        softly on bare knees
we feel their relief, hear their prayer
as it is answered
free from pain comes the relaxed
tensions in diminutive harmonies
as the impromptu
like the children themselves
find peace in the effortless melody
of final notes
that drift away
into salvation

Jon Von Erb
6/2020




https://youtu.be/FxhbAGwEYGQ