Music Garden

if music be the food of love, play on.

the truth is,

there has always been music in this park:

the rolling river, rustling leaves, birdsong,

approaching storms, amphibian courtship,

cooling breezes, the ever-present trill of an insect choir—

but our music—the silvered laughter of children,

the sighs of the old ones, recalling bygone days and remembered joys,

lovers, hand in hand, cooing softly through their stages of life,

canine companions, announcing everything,

prayers, wishes, hopes, and dreams,

snippets of shape-note hymn, borne on contented breath—

these time-honored tones and rhythms, we fold into the soundscape as part of

the proud song of generations connected by place and purpose.

like this community, our shared song

has grown as it flows from us and through us—

is still growing.

today, we dedicate a music garden,

planted here, in our splendid park:

flower drums; tubes that chime; a xylophone in the open air;

each one a wonder, but together, a symphony of civic pride

to echo the voices of those who have gone before and

to help those just joining the chorus

to find their voice—

today, we offer new notes in honor of this community,

the neighbors we know, and new friends we will embrace.

many hands prepared this ground,

many hearts put this tune in the air,

many brows furrowed, puzzled, and sweated

to breathe this dream into being:

a garden—our garden—of music.

come, now, neighbors—

see the colors, feel the rhythm, hear the tune;

beat a drum, ring a bell, sound your notes—

bloom!

our community concert,

our life song,

welcomes your harmony …

Rich Follett, July 2023

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