A Light is Shone
A villanelle in tribute to Andy Fairweather-Low
A light is shone, a man stands there alone.
We're waiting for the music to arrive,
To fill hearts in the hall of red and gold.
*
He is not why we're there. He says he's old;
He talks of friends, his need to feel alive!
A light is shone, a man stands there alone.
*
He starts to play, the notes they soar, are bold;
Acoustically reborn and lifted high
To fill hearts in the hall of red and gold.
*
He is accomplished, he is not here to hone;
Self-deprecating, not the star tonight -
A light is shone, a man stands there alone.
*
Guitar, duct-taped, its spirit hard to hold
But it's warmth, humour that's released tonight
To fill hearts in the hall of red and gold.
*
He's shared with us; his set comes to a close.
He has woken us, seats are now alive!
A light is shone, a man stands there alone,
To fill hearts in the hall of red and gold.
***
I went to see Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall. He was supported by Andy Fairweather-Low, an accomplished musician himself and I was compelled to write a poem about him, a tribute.
Hopefully, this villanelle has encapsulated the way that he made me and many others feel that night. And why a villanelle? Because he's Welsh, as is Dylan Thomas, whose villanelle "Do not go gentle into that good night" is a very famous example of this form.
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Comments (13)
Great villanelle with excellently crafted repeating lines! Like others I am not familiar with your inspiration but enjoyed this introduction
Despite being clueless about Andy, I enjoyed your beautiful poem.
The first Villanelle I have come across, and truth is I loved it.
I enjoyed your Villanelle and loved the spirit in which it is written, Rachel! Wish I had heard the concert that inspired it.
I don't know him but this was a very beautiful tribute! Loved your Villanelle!
A warm and wonderful tribute to a Welsh wizard!
Cracking tribute! Sounds like you had fun! How was Eric Clapton too? Hope you had a brill time away.
Wonderful tribute! π₯²π
Beautiful, Rachel.
A lovely tribute π₯°
Amazingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing villanelle!
Oh, another stirring piece from you Msm Deeming. What a fine villanelle. I have heard the name for sure and this makes for a beautiful and evocative tribute to a legend! :)