Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Pianist~


There’s a wonderful power
                in humans 
                      To face adversity; yet
                           Turn faces towards sunshine
                                 When there's nothing else but destiny

A half-illumined child also waits
Behaves in accordance –
             Takes roots to grow
                         Creating a land 
                                   that didn't exist for her

                       One day...
           
 Swinging in the hammock; a li'l girl
     for whom everything's shut without a reason..
                       She hears a faint murmur of the waves 
                                The rhythms tap her softly, and ebb ..
                                             The grandeur of melody put her to test-
                                  
She presses the keys of her father's old piano; 
            Artlessly, naively, presses pedal to the floor
                    With eyes closed, she holds the notes 
                               Indecipherable tunes speak in soft tones 
                                        --sounds become more real, more melodious for her
                                               
The booms of the tinkling notes rend the air
          Mozart, Beethoven enshrine in her heart forever
                   Now she has the riches, to satiate her passion
                              For the parents-and the little one
                                     Sound of music becomes a big celebration.
                                         
                                  


Children with Down syndrome usually can do most things that any young child can do... However, they generally start learning these things later than unaffected children Somehow, I believe, music is therapeutic and it can address the need areas for a kid with Down’s Syndrome.





                                              



50 comments:

  1. Lovely words and so true. Music is the language everyone can enjoy and appreciate. Music inspires, as does the little girl in your poem.

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    1. Yes...music works well with these kids, I have seen it myself. Thanks for the nice comment, Ladycat.
      Sorry, I messed up peggy's beautiful prompt..:(

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  2. that is so cool...i work with similar kids and its pretty amazing when you can find that thing for them that clicks....you should see the smile this gave me....

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    1. Thank you, Brian.
      Only after posting the poem, I realized that this doesn't go with Peggy's prompt. And, I am unable to de-link it...so feeling quite embarrassed.
      Thanks for the encouragement. I've also worked with these kids, so I understand you've reasons to smile...Glad you liked the angle... :)

      Thanks for coming by... :))

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  3. Panchali, this DOES go along with Peggy's prompt.... For these children sometimes 'vision' comes a bit later, but when they discover something it can be QUITE glorious indeed. We don't all SEE things or experience things in the same way. Sometimes we have to take time to envision what it is like to be in another person's shoes. A beautiful AND fitting poem, Panchali.

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    1. Ahhh, Mary..what a relief it is to know that the poem goes with the prompt!! Am thrilled now:) I was miserable all this while. Thanks a ton!
      You bring about the gist of every poem so beautifully which encourages the writer effortlessly. Yes, they do everything a bit later on the developmental charts. But the wait and that extra effort make every milestone a cause for celebration :))
      Thanks for the compliments. Absolutely gratified, Mary..:)

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  4. Panchali, it is lovely to see and feel how this little girl finds something that makes her happy!

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    1. This is a very gratifying compliment, Gabriella. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks... :)))

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  5. Oh definitely music can be a vision and I love this poem. We must change our own visions and expectations when it comes to children with disabilities--so that we can see where they can go. I like where you went with the vision prompt.

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    1. Thrilled to have your approval on this, Peggy. Thanks a lot :)

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  6. Well, now you've gone and made me cry ... good tears, not bad. Your poetry speaks to us on so many levels .. I raised a special needs son, I know the triumphs .. large and small.

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    1. Ow...what a beautiful comment, Helen! Glad you could connect. I have also worked with these precious kids...Once they are channelized properly, they can create wonders...I know!
      Thanks for being here :)

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  7. Beautiful Panchali! Children with disabilities are sweet souls and they do have many gifts to offer.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lisa. Happy to now that you enjoyed reading the poem..am so happy!:)))

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  8. Very true!music is being lauded as a successful therapy. Very beautifully put here. The stanzas run down like musical notes!

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    1. Thank you, Akila...for the compliments...means a lot to me :)

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  9. Really wonderful and it makes you think about what you can do to connect to each other.

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    1. It's truly amazing, alan. Thanks my friend :)

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  10. Music is therapeutic,Very true..:-)Kudos..:-)

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    1. A creative person like you would understand, Nagini. Music is....therapeutic :)
      Thanks for your visit and comment...

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  11. Great poem, very meaningful.

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  12. Very Lovely Lines on a Very Intense Topic...Even I do believe music can play a great role in curing and nurturing kids with Down's Syndrome

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    1. Yes, every heart responds to music, allresourceupdates! Music is such... Thanks for this gratifying compliment.. :)))

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  13. Heartwarming and so inspirational, there is sunshine in every situation, all we need to do is take some efforts to appreciate it and turn our attention towards the right direction.

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    1. What a beautiful comment, Arti!! Oh yes... life encompasses a broad spectrum of dance and drama; it's just how we deal with it...Thanks Arti.:)

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  14. Very nice post Panchali ! It transported me to a different world.

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    1. Good to see you here after a long time, moonstone!! So glad you enjoyed reading...thanks for coming by :)

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  15. I so loved this post which says everything I believe. I love the idea of the girl holding the notes to her heart and how music became a language of joy for her and her parents. Very moving, Panchali. The Downs children I have known are such a source of joy to the people around them - such loving beings.

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    1. That was an impressive comment, I am amazed at your perceptiveness always, Sherry.
      So happy you enjoyed reading...thanks for coming by :)

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  16. so beautiful. I am the mother of 5 sons. One is a musician for a living and quite famous.One has autism and yes, he progessed at his own rhythm. But he has always lived with and loved music and it has been a gift to all of us.
    xox jean

    thank you

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    1. Jean, I am so glad you could relate to this... thank you for your words and for the visit...:)
      These beautiful kids have amazing sense of perception,(especially the pitch perception) so its easy for them to remember melodies and detect differences in pitch. Oh, thanks for sharing your story. Please give him a tight hug from me.. :))
      Thanks a zillion for coming by..

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  17. Another of your signature posts -- full of compassion. :) Music really is therapeutic.
    I hope you are doing well, Panchali di.

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    1. I am good, how are you, Divya! Good to see you after a long time!! Thanks for making my day, sweetheart... :))

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  18. Very sweet composition.Brings a ray of hope, aspiration and harmony. for the baby girl!

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    1. Usha, Their affinity with music only suggests that music could be incorporated into therapies..I have worked with these kids, so this thought came naturally.
      Thanks a lot for your visit an comment. :))

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  19. Been inactive for a while.This is a lovely endorsement for Down's sufferers.

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    1. You were missed sorely,Indu. Even I was a bit inactive due to internet glitches. Now, am back :))
      Thanks for coming by...

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  20. Music is indeed therapeutic and if these children find ways of expression in it, its so beautiful . Amazing lines as always Panchali di! And you know, your photos and poems together remind me of Sarojini Naidu :D

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    1. Really??... Humbled!!:)
      Actually, research has shown that these kids may have trouble perceiving emotion, but they do have an emotional response to music ...Infact, it's therapeutic for everyone, I guess.
      Thanks Jaish for that lovely comment! And so good to have you here :) xoxo

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  21. So beautifully versed....

    If music be the food of life, play on... said the Bard!

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    1. Bard couldn't have said it better, Deepak!!... thank you for your encouragement and for the visit, of course!... :))

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  22. this piece is unique.....a source of joy itself..

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  23. you look into the depths and write...touching..

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  24. Absolutely loved it! Honestly, I like your whole poetry blog. I'd like to feature some of your poems on the Independent Poetry Society site ( https://www.facebook.com/independentpoetrysociety ). However, I don't want to do so without your permission. I will also include a link to your blog with each of your poems that I feature. Let me know!

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    1. Adam Champion,
      Thank you!! It is indeed, a rare honor for me to get such a stupendous offer. However, I reckon, I have a long way to go in reaching a certain minimum level, where my writings could truly be called poems :)
      Till then, I'd like to restrict myself to my limited domain. As as exception, though...just to compliment you for recognizing the worthiness of my poems, I would like to pass on this one for featuring. I hope that in future, we would be in a position to collaborate more!
      Thanks a ton for being here. I truly appreciate :))

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  25. I simply got lost in the scene from the penultimate stanza!
    BTW Down's babies have affinity for music... they love it :-)

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  26. Panchali, I can not write poems.
    Your are perfect. I am always delighted with them.
    I am glad that I read your beautiful poetry.
    I send greetings from distant Polish.
    Lucia

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  27. this so nicely explains the beauty of music , a language which crosses all barriers.. which lets everyone express regardless..The Creator is not partial. Amazing composition as always !

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