We're An Old Village Choir (re-posted)

Post by **nortan223** » September 10th, 2012, 7:38 am

We love to sing in our Choir
Though we're short of tenors and basses
But we sing all our notes with gusto
And the strain of it shows on our faces.
When”The Messiah’s” Handelian arpeggios
Leave us valiantly fighting for breath
We stagger our gasps in rotatation
But it scares our conductor to death.

Our repertoire's showing it’s limits
(The library stocks are depleted)
And we have to pay singers from London
When the solo parts leave us defeated.
With our audiences small ( but selective )
We never can cover the cost,
So our annual subscriptions are rising
And our pension increases are lost.

We're convinced that our voices are heavenly
Well, some say we're like nothing on earth
Our vibrato technique's in a class of it's own
And we use it for all it is worth.
But we'll carry on singing, regardless
And we're really not looking for fame
Just a long as we feel that a few of the locals
Will give us some sort of acclaim.

Post by **Dew** » September 11th, 2012, 5:18 am

Bravo! I adored every line! This was so completely charming in its cleverness and pleasing in it's gentle structure. A wonderful write! I loved it! - Dew

Post by **songofmeadow** » September 11th, 2012, 2:25 pm

I agree, a delightful cameo that had me smiling throughout, really, really enjoyed, meadow

Post by **nortan223** » September 11th, 2012, 2:36 pm

Thank you Meadow and Dew. This was written to mark my "swansong", when I finally realised that I ought to retire from the choir. It performs very well without me, however.

Post by **songofmeadow** » September 23rd, 2012, 2:11 pm

I am delighted to see your poem spotlighted and have the opportunity to re-read, there is a great sense of community and humour, really lovely, congratulations Norman!

Post by **inflames** » September 23rd, 2012, 10:36 pm

Congrats on your spotlight! This is wonderful. Fantastic work.

Post by **Sasha** » September 24th, 2012, 7:27 am

Yup, I agree with the above comments. This is quite a stunning read, that I enjoyed every bit of it!
Congrats on the deserved Spotlight!

Sash

Post by **Royston Vasey** » September 24th, 2012, 10:59 am

Hi nortan223,

Love your poem's narrative, and love its rhyme scheme too; using a long (cross) rhyme scheme alternating with unrhymed lines was a clever touch - it offers flexibility. Congrats on the spotlight.

Thanks for the read.

Go well.

Post by **dornicks** » September 24th, 2012, 4:08 pm

Deserving of the acclaim ye seek. An enjoyable read, for which I thank you,

dornicks

Post by **karrie** » September 25th, 2012, 12:29 am

Such a wonderful write! Congrats on the spotlight

AliMariesDad · Post by **AliMariesDad** » September 25th, 2012, 1:17 pm

Cute, and fun to read. Definitely deserved the spotlight. Well done.
AMD

Post by **everhopeful** » September 25th, 2012, 2:51 pm

Such a jovial piece of poetry, this is something to make the reader smile. There's a nice mix of the more direct humour with the more subtle, wry, kind and a touch of self-depreciation which I find particularly amusing when it's done without self-pity.
The ending is even more of a chuckle after what you pointed out to me, yet how apt is it for poets to read that and appreciate it? We may never be rich from our pursuit, but a little acclaim goes a long way, and this poem is deserving some acclaim too.
Congratulations on the spotlight.

Post by **Cludgie** » September 25th, 2012, 4:29 pm

A wonderful write, made me chortle aloud - perfect for the spotlight!

Post by **nortan223** » September 26th, 2012, 5:37 am

Many thanks to you all for your encouraging comments. You've made an old choir member very happy!!
---Norman--

Post by **Lonnie** » September 26th, 2012, 8:57 pm

A splendid example of witty colloquialism! Nicely done!

Post by **JASON** » September 27th, 2012, 2:30 am

Congrats on the spotlight Norman,you seem to be a multi talented individual.....

Post by **knpoet** » September 29th, 2012, 5:40 pm

Congratulations, nortan223, on the Spotlight. I remember reading this before and thinking it was such a joy to read; I'm so glad that you got the acclaim you seek, at least for your poetry if not for your singing! I love singing, myself, and I've sung in a few choirs - and I always hoped that I didn't completely ruin the harmony for everyone else! Oh, but it was such fun! Sorry to hear that the choir has to manage without your unique vocal stylings - I'm sure it isn't the the same without you!

Kathy

Post by **nortan223** » October 1st, 2012, 1:43 pm

It has been such a pleasure to have this accepted for the Spotlight and I appreciate the encouraging comments that I have received from you all.
--Norman--

Post by **ladylynnmary** » February 4th, 2014, 9:40 am

Dearest nortan223, this is just so great! I was laughing out loud! You wrote this so well and it was heart warming and
humorous . Bravo my friend!

Much Love And Laughter,
Lynn

We're An Old Village Choir (re-posted)

Re: We're An Old Village Choir (re-posted)

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