9pm. I wearily head into the tunnels for a voice lesson clutching my sheet music, a sharp pencil, a bottle of water. I am too tired to think about singing. Too tired of writing papers, reading, cooped up in a tiny dark room like a monk in a cloister, forcing squiggly black lines to reveal the secrets of the universe, the meaning of life. My brain hurts from trying to connect the dots, to put all the pieces in their proper place. There is no help for it - I got last choice of time slot, and I only get 7 lessons. I dare not miss a single one, tired or no.
I stop at the ladies room under the chapel and sit on the couch a few minutes listening to the organ (is it ever silent these days?). I wander further towards the choral room where some student before me struggles with vowel sounds and vocalise and texts that won't quite behave itself. I still have ten minutes. I do not wish to deprive anyone of their fair share of expertise.
I wander down the hallway towards the administration offices and the front of the building that overlooks the lake. Perhaps I can still catch a glimpse in the fading daylight. I have no particular expectations, just ten minutes to 'kill' and I prefer not to stand looking at a blank wall (OK, so its a peculiar mosaic of odd symbols with no particular significance to me and I prefer not to puzzle over more mystery).
Because of a low hanging ceiling and a few pillars and posts, you can't actually see out the front windows until you are nearly upon them. So it wasn't until I was dead center that I saw the lake. It sat where it always does, stately and peaceful, quietly reflecting the last rosy rays of the sun into a pinkish sky without fanfare. A few birds darted about, swooping after mosquitoes and other unfortunate critters.
I followed one of them as it zoomed past the window, and suddenly I saw it - a bright yellow orb of a full moon glowing boldly in sharp relief against the fading sky just off to the right of the windows. It was breathtaking! Suddenly I felt as if I could breathe again. I pulled a chair up to the window and sat there, taking in the peace of the scene.
Absent mindedly, I dangled my hand over the side of the chair and touched a colorful begonia plant sitting there. I have passed that plant a dozen times before, and I always thought it was plastic - fake - too perfect to be real. To my utter joy and delight I discovered that it is real! In fact the waxy perfection was beginning to drop a few petals. I scooped up a few and slid them between my fingers. They felt smooth and soft. And almost as pink as the sky.
Inhale. Exhale. Yes, this is much better. Ten minutes flew by, well spent. This is more like it! And what a perfect prelude to the song I am working on tonight - DeBussy's Claire de Lune. I bet you didn't know there are words for that dreamy music! I discovered a women's choral setting for it at the music library in Urbana. The text reads:
Shining bright, moonlight -
a picture rare you paint at night,
no one can ever ever know life's real beauty
who has not seen that lovliness is your duty.
Shining, bright moonlight
when the sun sets
you give us light
you show so clearly the road that's dreary.
I feel that life and love have met in fond caress.
I know that only love could this vision express.
only love divine could cast a perfect spell
only God's strong arm could guard his children well.
I gaze in wonder and know that no harm could come from high above.
Trees swaying, winds playing with delight floats the sweet scented air.
woods mystic make music - songs can still the thunder,
soft laughter comes after storms of deep sorrow.
hailing the new day with happy hearts strength returning
facing the rising sun yearning.
Twas only night with its magic moonbeams, softly the world dreams
while mortals sleep God his watch will keep,
Shining bright moonlight, you put to shame the sun so bright
Shimmering silver pouring through space eternal,
lighting earth's darkness with a spirit maternal,
Shining bright moonlight, I saw heaven through the night.
I saw angels bathe in silver, I saw God smile.
Moonlight fades, farewell fading moonlight!!!
My lesson was energized, I learned so much about how to make this song be what it should, how to create light and space vocally. I can't wait to take it back to PrayerSong! I highly recommend you put on a recording of DeBussy's Claire de Lune, settle into a comfortable nook, read through these words, and just lie back and dream. Such a glorious way to fill your mind with comforting thoughts of God's greatness, His protection, His provision. Do enjoy!
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