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Apr 04
poem, rant 12 comments challenge: CJP-COVID19
amaryllis

Alone

Stuck in this room
With so much to do
But not really wanting
To do it
Alone

I should play my viola
Or I'm going to get rusty
But the lonely music stand
Doesn't compel me
How I yearned for a solo
Once upon a time
Now I can't bear
To play
Alone

Without the swell
Of music 
Roaring and whispering
Being a part
of a greater whole
A symphony
Sounds better 
Than my playing
Alone

I could probably
read a book
Pick one from inside
The bursting gray bin
Some well loved
With familiar worn pages
Some brand new
Waiting to be
set free

But those pages
don't call to me
Like they once did before
I wish I could go
to the library
Kneel on the rough floors
To beg the shelves 
for the medicine I need
For the characters to come to life
So I don't feel so desolately
Alone

I have stacks and stacks
Of homework
I should probably dive into
But when I sit down
at the desk
I'm overwhelmed
By waves of longing

To take the twelve minute walk
Down to the school
Lose myself in crowded halls
Once full of smiles and chatter
Sit down in those tiny desks
The stagnant air
Once full of focused energy
When nobody could ever be truly
Alone

I try to make birthday cards
But it just gets me down
When I think about
How my birthday this year
Will be celebrated
Alone

It was supposed to be my 16th
The big bash
Now all I can do 
Is stare at the bunting banners
And golden happy birthday
We bought ahead of time
That only I will admire
Alone

So I'm still lying in bed
So hungry it hurts
I guess I'll down now
And eat breakfast
Alone
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Posted: 04.04.20
About the Author: amaryllis
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Discussion

Comments

  1. Treblemaker
    Apr 04, 2020

    I love this piece so much! especially playing by yourself and not enjoying it- because it sounds better with the entire symphony, I never new I'd miss all the instruments so much.

    I write because the music of language spoke to me in books and I wanted to make a beautiful noise to answer back ~ Lee Williams.

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    I know! For all that we jokingly put down each other (I've heard soooo many terrible viola jokes, haha), I really miss us all playing together. Sad you relate, but glad you enjoyed the poem! :) Just out of curiosity, what do you play?

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  1. Treblemaker
    Apr 05, 2020

    Violin and viola :D
    I never realized how much one is aware about the other parts playing and how important they are until u realize you won't hear them for awhile :(
    you play viola too right?
    Also- welcome to YWP!!

    I write because the music of language spoke to me in books and I wanted to make a beautiful noise to answer back ~ Lee Williams.

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    It's so cool you play both! I tried learning violin about a year ago but it was tricky to learn a new clef and eventually I got too busy. Maybe I'll take it back up with all the time I have now. Thanks for the welcome- I love YWP already! Yeah, I play viola too. Which did you start with, violin or viola?

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  1. Treblemaker
    Apr 05, 2020

    viola power! I started with violin, and then added viola later bc I honestly loved the sound. The cleff IS tricky. sometimes I cleff out which sounds really funny bc its a third below, so ppl think I'm harmonizing- when I'm really just confuzzled :D might as well take up a new instrument too, and glad ur liking ywp XD do you play another other instrument?

    I write because the music of language spoke to me in books and I wanted to make a beautiful noise to answer back ~ Lee Williams.

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    I wish! I did used to play the piano when I was younger but lost it all after I quit. I really wish I'd stuck with it :( I've dabbled in the guitar a bit, but if I thought violin was hard, guitar is a whole 'nother level! They're also totally different instruments, but being able to play the guitar would be so cool!

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  1. Treblemaker
    Apr 05, 2020

    Agreed! respect to anyone who plays the guitar! Ive tried it but its so hard for me to play 6 strings at once- I leave that to others XD
    I also played piano for a hot second- I lOVE piano music, its so beautiful, but I never did it justice and eventually stuck with just listening to it XD. I've always wanted to play clarinet tho or French horn- but that to me is a whole other skill set!

    I write because the music of language spoke to me in books and I wanted to make a beautiful noise to answer back ~ Lee Williams.

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    My brother plays the clarinet- very tricky to self learn. I also considered French horn for a split-second, but the dumping out my spit didn't really appeal to me. Agreed- piano music is so beautiful!

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  1. Treblemaker
    Apr 05, 2020

    Oh right, I forgot the spit valve part... maybe I'll just learn cello instead... its the closes thing to viola - or triangle XD

    I write because the music of language spoke to me in books and I wanted to make a beautiful noise to answer back ~ Lee Williams.

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    Amen to learning the triangle! I would love to learn the cello too- it's so beautiful! It's a bit on the big size though, and my room is already so cluttered as is. Honestly the easiest orchestral instrument is probably the bass, but again, the thing is ginormous!

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  1. CrystalWaters
    Apr 05, 2020

    that was amazing!!!!!! it was so deep like readers can acctally feel how you feel. loved it

    Audio comment: 
    mediaRecorder_5e8a71b23af33.ogg

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  1. amaryllis
    Apr 05, 2020

    Thanks so much! I didn't know we could do audio comments. It really made me smile :) Happy you connected with the poem!

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