The Conductor

invisible conductor, your baton
is tracing magic symbols in my sleep
a mountain lake, the splashing of a swan
a fertile valley, shepherd with his sheep
cicadas chirping loudly in the night
the nightingales do celebrate the day
the waterfalls churn rivers with their might
a lion roaring to announce his sway
the thund'ring of a herd across the plain
the begging of a fawn for mother's breast
each moan, each sigh, each struggle to explain
a mother tells her child that she knows best

all this and more, the symphony of life
are you alone, conductor, or is there a wife?

Author notes: inspired by: Music by Bessie Rayner Parkes Sweet melody amidst the moving spheres Breaks forth, a solemn and entrancing sound, A harmony whereof the earth's green hills Give but the faintest echo; yet is there A music everywhere, and concert sweet! All birds which sing amidst the forest deep Till the flowers listen with unfolded bells; All winds that murmur over summer grass, Or curl the waves upon the pebbly shore; Chiefly all earnest human voices rais'd In charity and for the cause of truth, Mingle together in one sacred chord, And float, a grateful incense, up to God.