Poem October 25, 2004 Issue

A musical reckoning

Patricia Johnston

The music was the thing tonight that brought a reckoning.
Somehow the sounding of my life,
So often played in minor key, seemed out of place
In concert with so much praise-filled templed grace.

I listened to my brethren sing, a choir of hearts,
Deep-toned faith finding its key in unity.
"We all could feel it," someone said.

And I wondered, Could it be
The true life-note I sing is needed,
Blended to counterbalance, enhance, and even bridge
Right where I had reckoned it void of quality?

I listened thoughtfully
To voices measured with gratitude, to measure mine,
And, finding misplaced notes, realized
I can no longer be an amateur at this,
I have the right to sing on key,
Erasing notes of bitter-toned regret
With low, sweet harmony.

By Patricia Johnston

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