Music To Live By

JAZZ... the freedom to float away
yet know always where you are,
to journey outward on and on
and never venture too far.

CLASSICAL... the strictness of form
all full of pattern and grace
never varying from its intentions
but saying more than is on its face

COUNTRY...
always to
the heart
human emotion
at its most sad,
somehow shining
gloomy light on
all somehow
making one
glad.

ROCK... no form, no intention,
but to be heard, felt, understood,
no thinging, no inner meaning,
just listening, feeling good.

LIFE... the music of many instruments
many styles coming as one,
giving us freedom, discipline,
sadness and fun.

MAN... all hear a different song
all live a different life,
being able to appreciate all forms
rids all of needless strife.

AS MUSIC SOOTHES THE LISTENER
SO MUST LIFE SOOTHE THE LIVING,
OPEN YOURSELF TO ALL THERE IS
RECEIVE ALL THAT LIFE IS GIVING.


~ Mike L. Perkins

Chaff & Grain
West Virginia Wesleyan College Literary Magazine
Spring, 1986