EVENING SYMPHONY

The Rococo concert hall is full and buzzing.
Lights go down:
Silent anticipation.
Conductor makes his way forward while
Audience is clapping politely as he stands on his platform.
Wait . . . Up! . . .
Begin —
BANG!
Then flowing strings . . .

Each score is executed perfectly, in style.
Air replete with warm reverberating sound.
Souls in tune with the composer;
energy vibrating; intense.
Baton swinging wide then small.
Stretched skins being struck with mallet.
Tilted harp strings being plucked — now and again.
Breath being blown through wood and metal.
Thirty men and women vigorously bowing vibrating strings.
     God is surely pleased.

The audience is alert
(some a little drowsy);
A cough in quiet places comes
every now and then.

Every single instrument outpouring:
NOW: Triumphantly:
They swirl faster, louder in their decibels.
Great sound warm and rich and penetrating
permeates the hall.
Thumping — clashing with cymbals. Air reverberating.
HALT!
(This is clearly the end.)

Stunned silence
     Broken by thunderous applause.
     Bravos shouted somewhere.

On the stage, performers bow in groups.
Surely God is greatly pleased:
All souls, here, in Harmony this hour.

Men and women — small aspiring musicians — house staff
leisurely make their way to food and drink
chatting.

And all have just partaken
in one of God’s non-verbal languages.
He is the One present in every step of preparation.
How many notice this, right now, as they
sip a drink and choose a cake?