Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hallelujah

The poetry site I belong to referenced Leonard Cohen today, and I thought to repost a piece I wrote earlier in the year...
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We do not expect to find magic in each day, and most certainly not in our workday. We perceive magic to be fleeting and capricious...feel ourselves blessed by the rare moments of enchantment that transcend the ordinary and bring joy to the everyday. Not for a second do we imagine we could engineer such a moment, but only count ourselves lucky if grace on occasion touches our lives to create something special.
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I was granted magic on my lunch hour today. Lured outside by the cloudless sky and soft air, I gathered up my iPod and settled on a bench beneath a tree. I could smell a faint trace of last year's mulch, mixed richly with the fresh scent of new green sprouts. The sun shot through the leaves, dappling my bare arms with twisting trails of light and shadow.
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Without having to think about it, I brought up a song written by Leonard Cohen and performed with breathtaking purity by k.d. lang. I closed my eyes, the better to listen with all of my heart and all my attention, oblivious to everything but the power and the emotion of the moment.
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At once melancholic, yet filled with the ache of possibility, this is a song that speaks of being totally and vibrantly alive...of experiencing life in all its glory and all its pain...the two poles forever indivisible in our time on earth. I felt its heartbreak like it was my own, and soared with joy that such beauty could be coaxed out of a voice and a soul.
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For a brief time, I was freeded from the petty and the mundane. The world was wide and wonderful...and I was dancing madly in the midst of it all.
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Hallelujah, indeed...
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13 comments:

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Lynette, this is TRULY beautiful and inspiring! Way to be! I felt the same watching Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action last night. Many beautiful and as many many heartbreaking scenes of people and actions across this planet. One could despair at much that is happening, but peoples' spirits are rising in response and it is truly awesome and uplifting.

This blog is wonderful; your inner self shines through. I love the image of you dancing madly in the middle of it all. For, in your soul, you are.

Blessings!

foszae said...

And a beautiful mixed metaphor in your photograph as well; such tranquillity from technology...amazing .

cathy carey said...

Beautifully told, I felt I was there.

Anonymous said...

This is a great piece. I am left with a truly uplifting feeling. You captured your feelings and Cohen's (I think anyway) beautifully. Thanks for the share...

Love and Light, Sender

(PS I hope you don't mind but I took the link off your comment. I don't mind linking for prompts etc but I need to be consistent. I don't let anyone post links in my comments. I do hope you understand.)

L and L,

S

Penelope Notes said...

Pondering the universe and our place in it, we often realize the magic of existence. But as you say, we mostly live removed from it until brought back in some way. A poem, a breeze, a chime and a song are just some things that make my inner-self soar. I love Leonard Cohen’s work and know the song you speak of very well. I so enjoyed reading your lyrical thoughts today.

Kay L. Davies said...

Thank you, Lynette. More words would be superfluous.
-- K

Linda Järve said...

Very nice story about your beautiful feelings. I love too very much Leonard Cohen's songs.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Thank you for this lovely post -- a poem in itself! And I must go find a link to the song now.

Do you have a link to the poetry site you mentioned? I'll go read your sidebar and see if I can find it.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I loved this piece just as much the second time through, Lynette. Love Cohen's words and love even more k.d.lang's incredible voice. Life has such rich moments........so many ofthem to do with music......

Unknown said...

Beautifully written, Lynette. You have truly conveyed your emotions. What is the song?
xo
lynn

msdewberry said...

Great post!
When K.D. Lang sang Hallaluja at the opening ceremony of the Olympics she stole the show. It was very inspiring and moving. I've watched the video since on youtube.

EG CameraGirl said...

KD Lang is amazing singing Hallelujah...no doubt about it!

Inger-M said...

Lovely, and so moving. And I love Leonard Cohen :-)