The Whales Sonata
(Kenneth Frazelle's sonata for cello and piano as performed by YoYo Ma
and Jeffrey Kahane at the Zeiterion Theater, New Bedford Massachusetts, Friday evening, September 15, 1989)
Just as harpooners poised for a stanza
their arms tattooed with multicolored swirls of narrative
listened in secret for runs and cadenzas
that would mark passages from creatures
of the polyphonic sea. We wait
for the striking of the ivory keys
followed by the plucked notes
of the cello master.
Practiced agile hands cause wood and str1ng
to vibrate. Each player linked together
by chords of past and future.
Which wrap us in splendid sound.
We hear phrases that become forged barbs
hurled deep into the mind of public fantasy
which seeps beyond this gathering. Toward
long lyrical lines cast upon the waters that
reverberate beyond the safeharbor of New Bedford
which once spouted wealth.
Far out upon the flood that has never receded
liquid tremulous excite the great giantbacks
who couple and begin to dance.
While we sit straight-backed. Unaware
that the increased tempo causes flukes to crash
like cymbals to the tuning of wind.
Warm-blooded bodies propel themselves
up to an air of ungrounded vision.
Blowholes fill with hot fragrant oils
of passionate release. Pure images created
and scored by time pulse in adagios of primal embrace.
Hundreds of whales soar and breathe. Shameless
exhibitionists who will leap again and again.
In a modern arrangement that will never drown-out
the quavers in a timpani of echoes
from the bloody coda of harpoon guns.
And we politely applaud for the beauty of it all
forgetting whose tears stain the oceans blue.
Author notes
Zyskandar A Jaimot
A contest entry
- Animal Lover's Contest - in honor of Debilynn! by kareneisenlord.
900 points, ended March 20, 2008, 33 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PRE-WRITES! ROUNDS CONTEST!!! by Luminescence.
525 points, ended March 23, 2008, 176 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
The Whales Sonata - music
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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heartfelt congratulations on the well deserved gold for this outstanding poem ...
many blessings,
maa
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The Whales Sonata [for#1 in this contest] new Received the gold for its phenomenol portrayal of whales mating in contrast with the bloody deaths that they suffer every day. I loved the build up of this daily conflict that whales must face; the dichotomy of their wonderful, peaceful paradise juxtaposed with the sad possibility of their demise if they continue to be hunted the way that they are. This poem won for category #1, as it picked out a cause and portrayed the daily life and struggle of these magnificent mammals of the sea who are the largest sea animal that exists today. The imagery was so real that I could feel, taste, see and touch it through the incredible description that the words created. A Mother at Heart This poem moved me beyond words in it’s a wonderful true story about a lioness’s antics in the way that she adopted baby antelopes instead of eating them. This story won the silver trophy not so much that it was written flawlessly but in how it genuinely and with heartfelt emotion described the life of this legendary lioness who was a Buddha incarnated as a lioness who adopted and sheltered abandoned antelopes even at her own expense. Thats Alright Mama. "My faithful dog Trooper stayed with me throughout my battles with cancer. That dog understood more than most humans do and always knew when" This won the bronze for the 3rd option for pet therapy because it told the true story of a dog who gave his/her master hope and purpose to go on, simply by being there for him/her and loving them unconditionally, as most animals have the capacity to do. There are many stories such as this, and I honored it with the bronze trophy because it portrayed a story that has transpired over and over many times in real life - that animals love and save people all the time and are capable of sentient emotions much the same as humans. I decided to award more honorable mentions than I initially listed. There were so many good entries, it was impossible to only give three honorable mentions. In fact, I wish I could give everyone an honorable mention. They were all amazing, and every one touched me in a special way. I cried, I laughed and I learned from all of you. Thank you my friend for all of your lovely entries and for caring about the animals! I want to take a moment to give special thanks to all of the people who helped with this contest; Thelordreigns, Dark Raven, silverstar2.0 and storiesuntold. Thank you to all of you for your great input and the time that you invested in this worthy cause. Also, I want to give special thanks and honor to the Animal Lover’s Group owner, Debilynn. This contest was done for her, in gratitude and love for keeping this group alive for us. We wish her happiness and well-being and I would like everyone to keep her in their prayers. She has been going through some health hurtles lately, and we hope for her speedy recovery. Do I Deserve This? A very well-written and telling poem about how much dogs suffer who are kept in miserable conditions, such as puppy mills, for dog fighting, even for being eaten! It was so sad how it adeptly portrayed that they go to sleep each night dreaming for a better life. [ f ] [ a ] [ c ] [ t ] [ o ] [ r ] [ y ] For pointing out the atrocities of factory farming and that animals endure unbelievable suffering because they feel like we do. Adopt A Pet: It's better than marriage A really cute story about how having a pet is the next best thing, or sometimes even better, than being married! Homage to Garuda, the Chickadee (Metered Mirror-Rhyme) An adorable tribute to a beautiful bird and all of her endearing qualities. Guardian of the Keep This was delightful in how it portrayed a very busy little pup taking the job of protecting the master’s home very seriously. legislate Made one aware of how much power is in the hands of our legislatures, and what an impact their decisions have on the welfare of animals. "Scrubbing Bubbles" An honorable mention for the cutest write about bathing cats and their antics. The photo says it all! I really related to this. A Cat in This Town Cute and clever perspective of the lives of feral cats; their “upside down” lives. Also, very tragic - but told in a humorous way - if that is possible. Alice "Hello, my name is Alice I visit every week I let kids touch and stroke me because I cannot speak, A very moving poem about pet/dog therapy." Blood Soaked Humanity "Yes I meant to use HELL in the form I did..." Very intense poem about animals who are brutally killed all for their fur or “for the price of ivory” real texas chainsaw "the shackles release her but its not to free her" A very vivid and upsetting poem about how animals suffer when they are slaughtered because THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER ACT is not being enforced by the USDA. It does not spare the reader of the horrid reality of what these poor animals go through. We're Not Gonna Take It! These animals are tired to being tested on.So when Humans threaten their lives and their home they deside to fight back! See what happens I really enjoyed this was about a tale of how a group of animals escaped from an animal-testing laboratory. PETA Stance The cutest poem about PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), with quite a twist of humor! A Doggie Dog Life(short Story) A cute tale about how a puppy views things. I would have given more, but I was running out of points. A few of the entries, I was going to give an honorable mention to, but I noticed they had already won an honorable mention. One that I want to give special mention to here is; Black Bear A soulful write about the plight of the Black Bear, and how their home and rights are slowly being taken away from them. I loved the imagery and how the mother bear is portrayed as facing it alone. I loved all of them, and if time allowed I would comment further. All of the entries received a personal comment from me and I appreciate all of the other judges comments as well. Blessing to all of you and PLEASE keep speaking out for those who cannot for themselves!
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Because of the abundance of entries into the contest... I will not be breaking down the score... but will be quick commenting.... your score is... 37... out of 40.. thank you for entering and participating in my contest, and good luck,
~luminescence
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This was excellent.
For you to speak out to the whales in this beautiful write, helps people to realise how majestic and wonderful these creatures are.
Well done.
Goodluck in the contest. -
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i was unaware at how truly impressive whales were in person - until on a 'whale watch cruise' we encountered 'pods of whales' arising from the depths and glowing green because of the phosphorescent plankcton that attaches to their sides as they come to break the surface - an incredible sight also they were not afraid or angry or territorial at the boats/people as they watched far removed from 'peaceful' quakers who made 'war' on the whales through-out the 17th-20th centuries thanks again for your comment good wishes best regards zaj
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much thanks for the read/comments regards zaj
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this is great.
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glad this was of interest thanks for the read/comments regards zaj
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I did think you had written this based on an actual sonata. More and more, musicians and other artists, are creating works that speak for the souls and feelings of the animals. This is one of my favorites;
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/en/flash-popup.php?flashvar=vision
Thank you for your wonderful work here in showing the beauty and soul of the whales - and their passion.
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yes it was based on an actual sonata premiered in NEW BEDFORD that night - i christened/nmed it that when i heard all those years ago thanks again for your kind comments take a 'whale-watch' cruise out of new bedford or provincetown or mystic seaport in conn if you are ever up that way it is a rare treat regards zaj
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yes it was based on an actual sonata remiered in NEW BEDFORD that night - i christened/nmed it that when i heard all those years ago thanks again for your kind comments take a 'whale-watch' cruise out of new bedford or provincetown or mystic seaport in conn if you are ever up that way it is a rare treat regards zaj
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Amazing - and I want so much to listen to the "The Whales Sonata" now. The imagery that you created in this piece with your words is fantastic. I loved the way it was built up to the whales mating. What an incredible and beautiful scene you depict here, but very sad at the end - that the whales' joy, love and paradise is consummated by the death of a harpoon. To think of that just breaks my heart!
The last stanza created their ecstasy so well, and then the contradiction of the ending and their possible demise, was almost too much to bear.
THank you for this wonderful entry. I loved how unique it is, the imagery - and I could almost hear the sonata in my mind the entire time! I don't think that I have heard the sonata, but your words were written like one, with the theme, variations, conflict and the final "coda" - which ties the piece together. Unfortunately, the coda for these magnficent beings may be their extinction if something more isn't done about it.
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans/whale-defenders -
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much thanks for the read/kind comments understand it was i who 'named' it the WHALES SONATA[so if u try and look it up it win't be underr that name AND i think it should be!] after hearing it live in NEW BEDFORD on that evening regards and thanks again zaj
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amazing!
This is great! Great imagery, thoughtful idea. This shows the true animal lover's spirit. Luck to you in your contest.
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much thanks for the read/kind comments regards zaj
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Beautiful but so sad. To think that "a timpani of echoes
from the bloody coda of harpoon guns" haunts the peace of such beauty is so sad.
This is an eloquent and exquisite piece of poetry. The blending of humanity with the whale and music with the whale song is expertly entwined.
Thank you for this excellent entry in honor of Debilynn. Your poem is beautiful.
- jo
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much thanks for your read/kind comments my best to DEBILYNN who 'inspired' this contest regards zaj
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