NOTES ON A SCALE

NOTES ON A SCALE

A composer may plan very few surprises

But there are effects when a melody rises

It acts like a thief in one of several guises

Taking an unsuspecting heart on a journey

It’s like racing towards surgery via gurney

Yet notes after rising in volume, can fall

Scaling the stave in mounting anticipation

Notes that climb clearly with deliberation

As if breath is finally one long exhalation

Yet all this is part of a clever musical plot

To let the blood flow before it might clot

As notes take listeners along with them all

Whether sung, or just purely instrumental

A sudden volume can contrast with gentle

The sound is as planned, never accidental

Although perhaps louder than was before

As one may choose when reading a score

But some musical changes can yet enthrall

However, they are all but notes on a stave

With the limited licence a composer gave

Each follows in order and all must behave

Perhaps an arpeggio or ending in a chord

The power of melody cannot be ignored

As the music demands, just heed the call