Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Song Catcher

 Img_3430_1

Songs of life were swirling above her, it called to her as she carried on with her day. As much as she wanted to be part of it, to enter into the flow swirling around her, she didn't believe she could fit in. Tempestuous dreams fluttered in her heart, stirred her imagination, causing an ache in the back of her throat. The longing like buried seeds seem to sprout…how fearful it was to trust something she never knew before.

Then like a song, that sings over and over in our minds, barely uttering on our lips, a song that haunts us day long, the message of the words broke forth…If we cannot join the song of life that sings to us, tempting us to take part…we can give one feather at a time, one step, one word, one leaf…maybe we cannot do what we desire, maybe we cannot give our whole self just yet….nevertheless, we can honor our desire by giving it one small gesture at a time.

Surely a nest is made in such a way.

Photo: In Pompeii there is an archway, this is a small example of the amazing carving that still stands…

One

Is there a song playing in your heart that you are not ready to dance to?

Comments

11 responses to “Song Catcher”

  1. Beatnheart

    Well said and beautifully done.

    Reply
  2. Kathie B

    For me, music isn’t just a metaphor, it’s literally been a part of my life for as long as I can remember — initially my parents singing around the house or in the car, or the radio playing music. In my mind’s ear I can still hear my father’s bass-baritone voice channeling Ezio Pinza singing “Some Enchanted Evening.” Guess it wasn’t for nothing that I was a music major in college, and later worked at a classical radio station. I’ve been bereft the past 11 months since our local public radio station dropped the 2/3-jazz part of its format for all news — save for a Saturday evening oasis, to which I cling desperately while translating.
    In addition, I get ear-worms almost continuously, which only fail to make me crazy because I can distract myself easily with a new one — the aural equivalent of “Oh look, a shiny object”! or “Oh look, a squirrel!” In fact, the past few minutes I was reading an article re new young jazz artists in Washington DC., where the Bohemian Caverns was mentioned as one of their favored performance venues. By the time we moved to the DC area we never got to go there, because it had been closed due to damage following the Shaw riots of ’68 (although obviously it’s been renovated and reopened in recent years). If the Bohemian Caverns doesn’t (don’t?) ring any bells, you probably didn’t realize it’s where the definitive live recording of one of the iconic jazz instrumentals of the ’60s was made, that’s still heard to this day: Ramsey Lewis’ “The In Crowd”! I can just hear that bass-line intro riff on the D-string now…
    (Of course, for birds it’s merely an evolved behavior that helps facilitate the survival of their species, but it’s still nice to hear.)

    Reply
  3. Anjanette

    Nice way to start my day with your blog. Beautiful.

    Reply
  4. DeeDee Clark

    Your pictures are so wonderful! We have had a song in our heart for several years, but God has not given us permission to move on it yet.

    Reply
  5. Marilyn

    Wow! What amazing words and thought. Oh yes, there most often is a song in my heart and somedays I wish I was younger so I had time to do all my heart desires. There is more coming though and I will savor each song.

    Reply
  6. Helen

    Now that IS a thought to hold! Thank you Corey.

    Reply
  7. g

    i always have songs in my head and in my heart…i cannot carry a tune but given the chance i will sing at the drop of a hat-yesterday heard White Room (eric clapton and cream)- have been sing it ever since “…she said no strings could secure her at the station….restless feeling..” (i adore him too) there are so many thanks for cultivating my awareness of the songs all around me-and in me for that matter

    Reply
  8. naturegirl

    Oh yes the song in my heart is without worry and I enjoy what today brings!Yesterday I anticipated troubles as I had to transport a very ill kitty cat miles away for lifesaving surgery..all is well so I dance to the song in my heart! Purr-Zzzz
    Nice connecting back with you Corey!

    Reply
  9. carol

    your words are music…..this from a musician. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Zosia

    Free style dancing is easy, organic, you move to the rhythm, you express what you feel. Ballroom dancing: learn the steps, learn the rules, wear proper clothing, everything has to be just so.

    Reply
  11. Merisi in Vienna

    “… we can give one feather at a time … ”
    Hope is the thing with feathers
    That perches in the soul,
    And sings the tune–
    without the words,
    And never stops at all …
    (Emily Dickinson)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions