Reckless cloudbursts
rippling reverberations-
Her harmonic ensemble
hits a deafening crescendo:
taunts my senses, paralysed;
haunts my spirit, petrified.

Like a violin,
only a little bigger.
The darkness of a cello,
the sweetness of a violin.
It sings a lullaby
to the child in the crib.
Loud and soft,
harsh and gentle.
It's the middle,
it's the best of the four.
Though it's not as popular,
it's still what I do.
It's still sings the song
that I want to sing.

Thunderclaps and lightning bolts
make the symphony of the night.

Tonight they play "3 o'Clock Rain,"
orchestrated by God himself.

All the stars sit in their balcony seats,
adorned in their dazzling regalia.

The moon man but peaks from behind his cloud curtain,
too shy to show his face to the earthly audience.

It is nature's lithe rolls and soft rumbling
that sing me to sleep tonight.

Crowd begins to rustle    
Lights begin to dim
Performers begin to sweat

The curtain fades
The noise of the audience fade    
The first act music-student's courage fades

He focuses on the notation sheet  
Stage lights focus on him    
Spectators focus on the teenager  

                 He plays the first downbow note                  
                 The crowd listens to him                    
        Lights shine, never faltering            

-

Multitude begins to grow impatient
Lasers begin to blink on
Pop stars begin to nod at each other


The darkness on the stage fades
Distraction fades from the crowd
Sweat on the band's hands fade


She focuses on the expanse of people
Yellow lights focus on all of them
The sea of people focus on the song


Bassist plays the intro
Die-hard fans listen to the heartthrob
Strobe lights shine, excitement escalates      

                                      -                                                                                                                            ­           

Big finale performed by the orchestra      
                   People shiver in their seats                        
                 Wood stage vibrates                      

         The curtains are drawn        
Listeners sated, their scores are a draw
      Philharmonic members draw smiles      

    Assembly gives a standing ovation        
Each student gives a triumphant bow    
Curtains give way          
                                                   ­                     
             Backstage, the people laugh                      
Stage director laughs from relief  
Congregation laughs from witty student's last remark

-

Last verse of fulfilling song performed by band
Top section shivers from air conditioner
Big speakers vibrate on last note


Projector screens are drawn
Crowds draw their phones for selfies
Drummer draws his experience on notebook

Spectators give shouts of, "Encore!"
Band members give their farewell
Coliseum gives back lights

Pianist laughs recalling his slip
Volunteers laugh from crowd's reaction  
Fans laugh at guitarist signing for them