Off and Springing: ...And Strings

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Off and Springing
Family Rhymes by H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D.
copyright © 1991-2008

...And Strings

Music has always been part of my life,
Learned from my parents, and shared with each wife.
I insisted my children be classically trained,
Back in the time that I thought them right-brained.
I taught them that music required four things:
Woodwinds, and brass, and percussion, and strings.

Often, I'd pack up the children and go
To a ballet or opera, concert or show
With music so rich and a story so deep
That, before intermission, they'd both be asleep
And I'd sit there alone with my favorite things:
Woodwinds, and brass, and percussion, and strings.

Back in the time that my offspring were teens,
I decided to sample their own music scene.
The sounds emanating from each modern band
Had chords to abhor; words I can't understand.
To music, they've certainly added some things:
Raucous distortion, cacophonous strings.

My dear daughter Erika took to the stage,
Has been highly acclaimed from a tender young age.
Reviews in the newspaper call her (I quote):
"A director and choreographer of note,
Her every production acclaimed for four things:
Costumes and dialog, dancing and strings."

Eventually, my son Andrew became
A hip-hop producer of some modest fame.
Often I go to his various gigs,
To admire the talent that clearly is his --
Except that his music is missing four things:
Melody, harmony, rhythm, and strings.

It's certain their music will never be mine,
Although I'm attempting to change with the times.
When I write my songs and I play my guitar,
I seek out influences from near and far,
And try to incorporate many new things...
But I still like percussion, brass, woodwinds, and strings.

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