She’s trying to fly with
crippled wings and join
her dreams together with
guitar strings and when
she sings she sings her
songs of how she tries
to get along with the long
harsh road she’s been
wandering on as she tries
to fly with crippled wings
and join her dreams together
with guitar strings

-
by Aleksander Mielnikow

What does lockdown mean for me?
I'm housebound anyway.
People think I'm always free,
I'm now that 'at home' mom everyday.

This is also what they thought,
When I told them I'm a singer.
'If you don't own charttoppers,
You're just a failure.' is what lingered.

I found it shameful and difficult,
Broke down several times,
I couldn't find my own identity,
Searching for myself felt like a crime.

41 weeks and 2 days I carried her,
My little angel, the apple of my eye,
I'm now learning a basic fact -
- A lifetime flies faster than light.

So fast, I don't know what day it is,
I'm living each day by the hour.
Before I know it, it's bedtime again..
What exactly is within my power?

When the birds stretch their wings,
At the crack of a quiet dawn.
The time I was raised to wake and listen,
To the Tanpura, the sound of Om.

This is my one true power,
Whether they believe it or not.
A lockdown may not define it,
I'm a musician, a mom, not a robot.

These clear blue skies at spring,
Came again after a barren season.
I'm housebound and learning again,
Another chance to live it right is my reason.

He was a boy
With ginger curls
And a smile to his name

His eyes twinkled with mirth
At everything I say

With music as a bond
We share ourselves

Even if only for a moment
He was able to bring out
The love of music
From inside my shell

Whenever I stray from classical music
He brings me Bach

your struggles, i see
as you practice as the sun goes down
until your eyes get heavy
every yawn, you strum
every stretch, you sung

sometimes you will leave your place
to get water, to rest for a bit
but you will not stop
until you're satisfied enough
until you're not tired enough

your determination, i see
it blows my mind how you think that
what you're doing isn't perfect enough
but i guess you're a dreamer
and a dreamer never stops

but you see, i will be here
in every bumps of journey
in every step, i will tell you
how good of a job you're doing
how proud i am of you

i will assure you, i will
you'll get to that stage, don't worry
you'll sing in front of the crowd that loves you
you'll make us fall inlove with you
you'll achieve your dream

i am your other half, see?
i will believe on you when no one else ever had
i will be by your side from the very start
and until you achieved that,
i will always be your number one fan.

Just this short moment
A little moment to yourself

Look at the sky for a moment
A pause in the humdrum of life

And just take a little moment
Like the quarter rest on hold

Cool down the thrumming heart
Relax those tense shoulders

Add a little honey
To the sourness of the situation

As life gives you lemons,
Make lemonade

Is this all I am able to give:
This pleasant view for the beholder
This pleasant sound for those who wish to hear.

Am I just the fingers that clasp around the other glass of wine at your table
Am I just the number to add weight to the crowd
Am I but the silent partner
The pen to paper
The background music
And the ticket sold