Scratch Messiah – a poem by Lara Dolphin

Scratch Messiah

And who are my neighbors?
An assemblage of the enthusiastic unrehearsed
the kind who would trudge through a snowstorm
for fellowship and musical uplift.
The seating is scrambled, not by part,
and I discover that I am seated near
as many tenors and bass-baritones as female voices.
Blend. 
Don’t breathe when the person next to me breathes.

The chancel choir takes its place
while the orchestra begins to tune.
Then silence except for the thrum of anticipation.
The soloists emerge. 
Next the guest conductor enters all to joyful applause.
I open my Schirmer score to follow and be ready.
The symphony plays.
Then at last song breaks forth– 
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
 

A native of Pennsylvania, Lara Dolphin is an attorney, nurse, wife, and mother of four. Her chapbooks include In Search Of The Wondrous Whole (Alien Buddha Press), Chronicle Of Lost Moments (Dancing Girl Press), and At Last a Valley (Blue Jade Press).