Thank You, Andre Rieu

Thank You, Andre Rieu Offered by Doug Blair, Kitchener ON, 2021

Small Beginnings

Somewhere there was a mentor Eyes a-sparkle and bow hand dancing Brought out some tracks of the Masters entrancing Took to the Concert, describing the concord Sat in a sound booth The youngster’s first record.

Made practice play-time But kept respect glowing Beethoven, Stravinsky and Strauss Full well knowing.

Helped through the kinks

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When the progress would falter Shored up the fine resolve Vision to bolster.

Filled dreams with music That left the heart dancing Challenge and beauty and simple romancing Made him an artist But God held the heart-strings.

Now he’s world-wide Such refreshment his Art brings.

Spring's Morning - May 21, 2021

I pause this morning in the cool

Spring's delight

And songs of birds

Gone the night of doubt and dread

Music only to be heard.

And this is how I join the strains

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Of thankfulness

Release from pains.

I have a voice

And stories too

Of God Most High

And what He'll do

Without the slightest effort shown

He moves that rock

He lifts that load

And every other hurdle known.

Why weeks ago

We braced from cold

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The winter's blast and white

But now we feel the Sun's embrace

And sense that all is right.

Days Begun Like This

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JULY 1, 2021 / ISSUUDOTCOMSLASHDEWANE /

It was sun-up plus twenty minutes

Leash in hand

Alfred had his buddy pacing it off

Old limping Shepherd Fritz.

Keeping the pace for the man’s cane

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Low and muffled conversation

Just as they liked it

These eighteen years.

Four with Barbara gone.

At times either of them

Would start at a female voice familiar.

And this morning, a light drizzle

Envigorating.

Passed the same single Mom

Hurrying two to Day Care.

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Fritz would pause so that

Children might have their usual

Embrace and chatter.

Dog couldn’t fit in to their

Routine or budget at home.

Alfred loved the patience and congeniality

Of this canine ambassador.

Stop at the lights

Check both ways traffic

Turn into coffee shop

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Tie the loved partner

To that bike rack

And in for the forty minutes

Chin wag with Fred and Martin.

Martin probably pulling out his Bible.

Fred his Morning Edition.

They had adopted the dog as well.

Buddies all and constitutional unvarying.

‘Got ta greet the world right yaknow.’

And invariably Alfred whistled

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Something from Tchaikovsky.

Music Transforms

The day overcast And agenda unlovely The health now in question And energies frail.

But music comes on With some work by the masters And now things are brightening Such tonic can't fail.

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Before the Curtain I think we are ready

Big crowd out there

A new City for us

Travel arrangements were seamless

Thankfully.

Fourth selection is a little rusty.

Horn section has had to tighten up

Timing and punch Folks.

But last evening was cool and quiet

Good for sleeping, reflecting

We will pull through united 10

Happy

Uplifting

Fun-loving

Duly respectful

In our chemistry by now.

New set of gowns for the women.

Backing videos are stupendous.

Ten minutes 'til entrance.

I pray the best for our Friends.

Again.

Such is Music It was weeks after 11

And the man had returned To work and family obligation.

Friends noticed slight change The whistling, the subdued Stanzas from timeless masters Heard by him and wife At the Concert attended.

One couldn’t miss The animated under-current To his days, his hours.

He seemed younger somehow Refreshed and rejoicing Whatever the day brought on.

Such is music; such is song.

We are told in the Biblical prophet Zephaniah that the day comes for people of faith when they are gathered in the presence of the all-holy, all-powerful Lord. He will save; He will rejoice over them with joy; He will rest in His love; He will joy over them with singing. God SINGS in Heaven. And we practise for a time down here with our music offering. ( Zephaniah 3: 17)

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