And She Shall Have Music

Imagine a time when only the wind in trees,
bees, brooks and singing birds bore melodies.

Church bells rang, and choirs sang, and music,
organ pipes, reeds, strings, percussion or voice
were rare privileges. Live performances, not choice

music of short duration for special occasions,
they encompassed precious memories.

Imagine when recorded sound blazed out
new trails of voices ghosted onto wax.

The power of discovery: winding up a gramophone.
Funfair barrels. Shellac tone. Movietone.

The first record you bought. Transistor radio.
The first sound that impressed you in pressed vinyl.

Rap and House blare from open car windows.
Ringtones and iPods, in-store muzak.
There’s no getting away from it.

The sound revolution turned noise pollution
wherever she goes.