Michigan Summer
Dawn again ascends behind treeline
Sun goddess’ eyelid affirms another
Mystery, what shimmer will be seen?
Chipmunks skitter-scout fresh litter,
Bluebirds kebob bugs for nestlings;
all aware of silent red-tail, watching.
Conscientious woodpecker’s sonar
allegiance a pesky morning alarm.
Pulling blinds, a new day’s play opens.
Turkeys wander along old fence line,
Doves nod-peck driveway, content,
Cardinals wait among pear blossoms
for orderly turns at seed-suet feeders.
Water gurgles over fresh-ground Kona;
Raspberry cheesecake sweetly waits.
Today joining friends, strolling gardens
To marvel over creative landscapes:
Perfumed peonies, majestic roses,
Cultivars mulched with tender love.
Driving home, a riot of pink yarrow;
Witch hazel, birch, and oak frame
her lipstick. Ah, Michigan summer!
I decided to choose a piece (Nabucco’s Overture) that my son learned to play (violin) when he was in a symphony orchestra group in high school. It was a regional group that met once a week for a few hours. Instead of dropping him off at the place, I waited and so got to know this one very well. Listening to it again today brought back such happy feelings. As I listened, I wrote a rough draft of the imagery evoked by it.
From wikipedia: Nabucco is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed in 1841 by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera. It is considered to have permanently established Verdi’s reputation as a composer. He commented that “this is the opera with which my artistic career really begins. And though I had many difficulties to fight against, it is certain that Nabucco was born under a lucky star.” The overture, often played outside the context of the complete work in orchestral concerts, mostly consists of themes from the opera.
There is a wealth of information out there on Nabucco, including at the wiki link.
Kim from writinginnorthnorfolk.com is today’s host at dVerse’ Poetics. Kim says:
Your challenge today is to choose a piece of instrumental music (no songs, but I am happy for you to choose a piece of jazz or instrumental rock if you don’t like classical music) that speaks to you, and write a poem either about the piece, including information about its composer and content, or whatever it conjures in your head. If possible, add a link to the piece of music.
Tao Talk 
Again I could picture everything in my mind like I was there… I also really really like Nabucco’s Overture…I’ve never heard it don’t believe. It builds suspense and then delivers.
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Max, sitting there each week and experiencing them learning it was a joyful experience. They were (are) some talented kids to learn something like this. I like how it goes soft then startling and then so pretty. Thank you :)
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Yes…it would take some talent to do that…I agree totally. I like dynamics…bands like Led Zeppelin had them also… the light/dark songs…heavy/soft. They keep you waiting and then you get the payoff…in good ones.
Thanks for sharing that Lisa… Oh…..don’t know if you know much about him….but Denny Laine passed away. Original member and singer for the Moody Blues (Go Now) and an original member of Wings.
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I like the way you describe those dynamics, and it does take skill to do it well. Denny Laine is a familiar name but do not know much about him. So sorry to hear he has passed away. Those are two big groups to be remembered for. :(
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I go overboard describing lol…. I get so excited talking about it.
Yes and all of them are at that age now.
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Wonderful, I can imagine all the critters playing about to this music, and the flowers unfolding, Especially the chipmunks, oh to have a day with chipmunks in it!! Such a stunning piece, thank you for this beauty!
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Di, so glad you enjoyed it, thank you <3
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You’ve done it so beautifully Li
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Thank you, Sadje! Glad you like it.
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You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
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A beautiful post, and a great piece of music. I love your poem and the trip you took us on in our journey through a Michigan summer.
Coming down to a lower-level music experience, your poem took me to Kid Rocks song about Michigan summers!
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Dwight, so happy you enjoyed the post. I need to imagine it is summer when it gets dark so early and washes the color out of things. Will have to look for the Kid Rock song.
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Thanks for the link, Dwight. He’s got the lyrics right but the music is lifted from a few different songs and not real crazy about the Confederate flag bikini they keep flashing in the video.
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Ha… ha… that seems par for the course with Rock and Roll music videos!
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With Kid Rock anyway ;)
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He is pretty off the wall with his music!
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You are welcome. I loved all of you summer images.
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I think you see a lot of those same things where you’re at also.
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Yes, great summer memories!
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Nice poem and beautiful music that inspired it!
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Thanks, Christian!
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Those personal connections always make music richer. and you have painted your own wonderful landscape to accompany it. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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I like early mornings, it does things to folk, you told it well. I don’t like to get up early though, and often I do not. Missing the boat, Jim.
..
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Jim, the only time I get up early is in poetry (and when pesky woodpeckers come to call.)
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You Michigan summer is lovely, Lisa! It warms me in our wet pre-winter. I love your choice of music for this post.
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Miriam, thank you very much. It is a beautiful place, and I know you live in a lovely place as well :)
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You’re welcome, Lisa! Yes, Portland is very nice. :-)
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ooh I like this prompt, you are all sharing some light bright stuff!
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Hey Kate! It surely has generated some.
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That’s an unusual choice, Lisa, and an excellent reason for it. Thank you also for the information on Verdi’s Nabucco. The overture, some of which is so well-known, is powerful and sometimes playful, which comes through in your poem. It made me smile that this piece reminds you of a Michigan Summer, while I think of Italy, but that has to do with when you heard it. But I could see in my mind’s eye how the ‘chipmunks skitter-scout fresh litter’ and ‘turkeys wander along old fence line’.
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Kim thanks much for your feedback. I have only heard the overture, never the opera, and know Verdi is Italian. I did see there is an intricate plot described at wiki on the Nabucco story.
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I love how this music is connected to your happy memories of listening to your son and the orchestra learn this piece. I used to love sitting in on my kids’ musical rehearsals and lessons.
You make me really want to experience a summer in Michigan!
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Thanks, Merril. I think where you are, along the water, must be pretty nice in summer.
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You’re welcome. I think it’s prettiest here in late spring and fall.
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Watching the summer unfold through your words and the music just took me to Michigan, I do believe. I love the remembered tranquility of pastoral poetry and yours couldn’t be better, Li.
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Dora, thank you so much <3
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I’m going to have to come back to listen to this music you described so well! Verdi isn’t my favourite.
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I hope you do, Petru, but understandable if you skip it, considering he isn’t your favorite. No worries.
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I enjoyed your entire post here Lisa nicely done my friend🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
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Rob, thanks much. Hope things are going well for you and Kathy <3
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I had not listened to this I believe, and never seen the Opera, I can really understand the memories as well as the music’s playful impression… Now added to the playlist
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Thank you and glad you added it. The orchestra my son was in nailed it also. So wonderful to go to the auditorium and hear them play it in front of a crowd.
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I know this piece of Verdi music, so glad you chose it! Now, with the gorgeous descriptors you gifted us about your Michigan, you may see an influx of visitors and/or new citizens.
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LOL Helen. So happy you enjoyed the offering.
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You definitely brought the music to life with the sounds and sights of summer. Wonderful! And to have a personal connection to the music gives this poem even more oompth.
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Dale, thank you.
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💞
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I remember this piece from my highschool’s Listening tests! Your poem ( together with the gorgeous photograph) makes me feel warm and yearning for blossoming Nature, which is highly welcome at the moment while watching the snow coat my world.
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Happy you recognize it, have a connection to it, and enjoyed the poem. I like where it took you :)
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I love the flowers in the top image. I believe I’ve seen them in yellow and maybe white as well.
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Yes, it’s yarrow and I have had the yellow before and the white grows wild here.
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I love that sound of that. Thank you.
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:)
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I applaud you for this one, Lisa! Gorgeously encapsulated. 💖💖
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Many thanks, Sanaa <3
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A rousing paean to warmth, summer, and what a delightful piece.
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Yes it is. Very lively :)
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What an idyllic picture you painted here. It is a nice companion to the music. 😊
-imelda
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<3 :)
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I really like “skitter-scout” and “nod-peck”.☺️ Lovely imagery.
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Thanks, Melissa :)
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Such a beautiful poem! I can’t wait to see that abundant, shifting life every morning once again. ❤️
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Thanks much!
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an older post Lisa but wonderful poem! <3
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Thank you, Carol Anne <3
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