Plus, Notes on the Organ, and More
Donald’s fingers flowing on 88 flowing keys: Did you think that sustaining rigorous river Would roll out freighters of flowers, sweet cargo— Those improvisations of our favorite hymns, That fluvial fulfillment, forever? Notes slithered like silvery Schools of fish, sliding surreptitiously Over layered slate in a lush slush, or More likely, sliding brilliantly, In a brisk brook. The music “took,” And tuckered pilgrims also attended To Blue Grass ensembles, or to accompanied Soloists soaring with a Gospel story, To children singing sweet and low— None for “Show,” But to witness to goodness, God-ness, kinship, The familiar awakened to Gusto: Allegretto, allegro, presto! Sometimes the grand Organ mocked thunder over a roaring river, Or a small rain might tingle, linger— Pipes, two keyboards, and numerous Foot pedals, close—Forget it! Music pressed out or carefully knitted, Plunged, or skittered, Mildness might reign, or a rich sound riot. A Labor of Love, to play the Living Piano, And to let loose The Organ’s multiplicity and Elegance, Music from its Loft, for Forty Years, a Biblical number, (We’d better let Donald go.) And the Living Piano’s And the Organ’s possibilities Never ending. BUT We have not begun to consider That delineated trail Through the high mountains Of Bach’s Cantatas, A Christmas Benefit Performance With Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra, Nor the Gargantuan Glory Of Gospel Choir, Nor Susan Du Laney’s invaluable overseeing Of these extensive Services And her generous offerings of hospitality Then and weekly! Nor have we considered Carol Sings with the Grace Band, Nativity and Christmas Eve Candlelight, Advent and Lenten Services, And Susan creating visual accompaniments; Nor Maundy Thursday, And Good Friday Night sadly Spun out in quiet darkness, Nor Palm Sunday, Nor Glorious Easter Morning! Nor red Pentecost, And Susan’s support of Holy Week’s Culmination Worship Services. So, please, if you’re not averse, Choose one of the above, And add to this verse, a verse. To complete, in due time this remembrance. And let Donald’s Riff and the River Keep rolling, moving in your mind along With a Treasure-trove of memories Of Donald and Susan and their Dear Family, And let the Organ and our Singing redound Always to the Glory of God. Amen. © 2022 by Sandra Duguid-Gerstman