Poem – The Price of Renewal

by Marcus on October 17, 2009

I’ve been out at Laity Lodge for the past few days interacting with some absolutely incredible folks, talking about renewal through theology, psychology, and business.

One of the people here, Jozef Luptak plays cello like I’ve never heard. The first evening he played a piece from Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 (from the prelude, I think).

I wrote a poem about it.

The Price of Renewal
for Jozef Luptak

The cold hearth may hold fire when the front comes
where the cellist plays. His arms carve the sound,
not for us, not for himself, but just because
the silence must sometimes be filled
with something besides words and squeaking
animals. We hear them by the door, surprised
each time the pinched strings sing
impossibly high. They could be bats or mice,
vermin that incarnate what Bach first said
years ago and again today with a time machine
made from maple and sheep gut and a life
time of learning the skill to speak
and sing and play for the dead.

Tagged as: bach, cello, jozef luptak, laity-lodge, poem

{ 1 trackback }

Parking-Lot Poetry: October 23, 2009 at 4:25 pm

{ 13 comments }

1 richVs October 17, 2009 at 8:18 pm: Really enjoyed this. I've been rehearsing with a double bassist friend… I know exactly what you mean. You've captured it well. Thanks.
2 nancy October 17, 2009 at 9:26 pm: his arms carve the sound
3 Kirk Livingston October 17, 2009 at 11:20 pm: This line grabs me: “His arms carve the sound, not for us, not for himself, but just because the silence must sometimes be filled with something besides words and squeaking animals.”

In my work I think a lot about audience. But sometimes things just need to be said–or played. Thanks for writing.
4 laraj October 18, 2009 at 10:41 pm: I love the way you create these visuals that at first shock, then sort of repel (bats or mice? sheep gut? ewwww.) but then, at the end, I have a very clear picture of what you are describing.
5 goodwordediting October 19, 2009 at 9:35 am: Thanks for the kind words everyone.
6 debtalkatthetable October 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm: I could see it, pictured arms wrapping, and the sound wrapping around the spaces.
7 Robert Treskillard October 29, 2009 at 9:53 pm: As always, you have great stuff here, Marcus! I need to stop by more often.

How's your book coming?
8 cindy hanson October 30, 2009 at 11:09 am: this poem is especially nice when read out loud… It brings to a 'meta'place… set out beyond.

I also love the word renewal rather than revival.
9 goodwordediting October 30, 2009 at 3:50 pm: The book is coming well. I'm shopping it around with an agent right now.
10 bradleyjmoore October 31, 2009 at 10:25 am: Hey Marcus, You lucky guy to be out there at Laity Lodge where all the cultural action is! Beautiful poem, and sounds like beautiful music. Ahh, the aesthetic life…

(PS. Would love to hear about what the book is that you are publishing. Zombies?)
11 goodwordediting November 3, 2009 at 9:52 am: Laity Lodge is an incredible place. If all goes according to plan, we'll
see you there soon.

Zombies is right. I have a particular affinity for zombies that I can't
quite explain. At this point, book publishing is a waiting game for me. But
I'll be sure to let you know details as I learn them.
12 jimmartin November 4, 2009 at 8:44 am: Marcus,
This is a very nice piece. I read this through several times, each time hearing and seeing what I did not hear and see before. Thanks.
13 jimmartin November 4, 2009 at 1:44 pm: Marcus,
This is a very nice piece. I read this through several times, each time hearing and seeing what I did not hear and see before. Thanks.