I remember Beethoven's Fifth Symphony,
       that milestone of Classical Music's majesty;
I was still a youth, barely over thirteen,
       when those triumphant tones first awakened me.

My pabulum had taken the form of ant tones first awakened me.

My pabulum had taken the form of musical shows,
        then my bottle was filled with the classics so light;
O, but this piece was oh so very different,
        for this had sound [of an] E-flat,
        my adventure was beginning, a never ending one;
My hands wanted to fly and sway with the music,
         I was no longer hearing, but now I was feeling!

The music flowed on, an exquisite journey,
        the tones were compelling and drawing me nearer;
The music I followed like a trusty old friend,
        and as my excitement grew I flew to my feet!

Impulsively, my hands began to move like lightning,
        my arms joined too in full scale conducting;
Exerting with fiery passion in time with the rhythm,
        my body expressed what my soul was burning!

Movement four now, and the tension is soaring,
        yeast-fully expanding - it could possibly explode;
My face is sweating and contorting a lot,
        my soul's run rampant harmoniously in musical time!

The music now fills my brain and my body,
        the soul of the music I feel deep down inside;
My mold is now broken, the blending complete,
        no longer feeling, the music and I have become one!

O joy! O rapture divine! I'll never be the same,
        the music carries me higher, ever higher;
It surges now through my veins like a high pressure hose,
        the passion runs hot, and my soul's now on fire!

My conducting is strong in style and grace,
        new freedom is erupting and quickening the ace;
My soul's a fiery chariot now off into flight,
        mounting as on Eagle's wings to a heavenly place!

The final chords now a stated so clear,
        the journey is over, the triumph complete;
The music's now inside, and I'm a brand new me,
        my shell has been broken, no reason now to hide!

The music has ended, its force is spent,
        my strength is gone, and I'm all out of breath;
I fall back into the chair as limp as a rag,
        at last I smile weakly for I have now found PEACE!

I still can't read a note of music nor had any lessons,
        the soul of all music I still passionately feel;
My creative flow wasn't fully released at this time,
        thabstance. It was real meat!

When I first heard those three G's and an E-flat,
        my adventure was beginning, a never ending one;
My hat was in Vietnam meeting Beethoven Symphony #9!

©  Terry Klasek

"We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony.
Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony
               It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.
We all contribute to the song of life."
...Sondra Williams

We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference.