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Jimmy Hegan Oct 2016
"Alas , alas , the great city,
where  all who had ships at sea.
grew rich by her wealth !
For in one hour she has been laid waste.
Rejoice over her, O heaven,
you saints and apostles and prophets !
For God has given judgment for you against her ."

"With such violence Babylon the great city
will be thrown down ,
and will be found no more;
and the sound of harpists
and minstrels and of flutists and trumpeters
will be heard in you no more ;
and the sound of the millstone
will be heard in you no more;
and the light of a lamp
will shine in you no more;
and the voice of bridegroom and bride
will be heard in you no more ;
for your merchants were the magnates of the earth,
and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
And in you was found the blood of prophets and of saints.
and of all who have been slaughtered on earth"
Robert C Howard Sep 2013
Beethoven once said of the cantor of Leipzig
“Not a stream but an ocean.”

Sebastian Bach wove sonic tapestries
and scoffed at notions of genius
“Anyone who pays the price can do it.”

Whether for Sunday’s choir or *****
or for a palace fete of state,
The fountains of his bounteous spring
embellished every age and station.

Yet he could crack a joke or two
in a cantata to coffee’s pleasures -
sipping from a sturdy cup
of nature's matchless brew.

Flutists, fiddlers, singers, organists,
children and masters alike,
have netted hearty sustenance
from the seas of his boundless vision.

But modesty forbade him boast
the importance of his station -
affixing to his noblest works,
a trio of humblest words,

“Soli Deo Gloria.”

December, 2007
Not so much a poem as a narrative tribute.  I'll work on this some more.
Jenish Aug 2020
swift breeze rolling waves
bamboo flutists trying notes -
symphony in air.
JL Davis May 2017
Tonight,
I shall encompass my lover's high quarters
And sweetly serenade my master
By a grand company of numerous bright
And twinkling stars
As I stand before his balcony 'neath
The moonlight,
Along with a coterie of master
Flutists and harpists,
I shall dance, in a gown of silken spun
White, along the lush green grass
As I sing a sweet, sweet lullaby,
Hoping to stir my lover's ears to listen
And awaken to hear only words
Of longing, a passionate love,
Flowing rapidly and freely from my
Quivering lips, my heart and soul dance,
And just like the fireflies, they both
Take flight, in anticipation of my master's
Quick footsteps up above upon
The balcony's stone steps,
I await his handsome and familiar face
Above, yearning for his arms
To envelop me just like the comforting
Wings of a dove, I also wait
For his strong lips that would devour
Mine with an endless deep love!
I sing,
"Come, my sleeping master!
Show me thy dark and handsome face!
Look down upon me, your lover,
With your loving dark eyes,
And see a lovely picture of a love
And devotion so rare,
As I wait impatiently in my place,
For just a glimpse of thee,
Perhaps just a glimpse of thy very dark
Hair?  Oh, my love!
Come near!
And, do be quick about it, my dear!"
For, I shall never again pass another night's
Peaceful rest upon my empty and lonesome
Bed, if ever you were to never show me
The presence of thy very own dark head!
But, I shall have to pass a cold night's
Restless slumber with only these two
Loathsome companions,
As depressing company,
Sadness and dread,
Tossing to-and-fro
And only wishing that I were dead.
My love!
Awaken and come to me
For how I so loveth only thee!
Should I then climb your stairs and storm
Through thy darkened bed chamber
For just a glimpse of thy dark face
As I eagerly kiss thee,
My handsome sleeping prince,
All over thy face and blackened brow,
I do kiss thee now, over and over
A thousand times, I kiss thee!
Over and over a thousand times,
I do fondly caress thee,
My sleeping prince!
Over and over a thousand times,
I do hold thee very tightly,
My loving master!
Oh, how I yearn for thee nightly,
For I only adore and worship thee,
As I silently linger until the morning hours
Shine in upon the two of us,
With the sun's shining light so brightly,
I rest quietly beside thy bed,
Close, and near at thy knee,
I rest beside thee, my true love,
Under the stars and moonlight.

— The End —