Setting poetry to music reminds me of a personal story.

I was invited to sing at a poetry and strings concert set up by local Arts Council and their Poetry Society. We alternated with poets reading their works and singers singing songs. I enjoyed much of the poetry. The Poetry Society had made a little booklet of all the poems read that night and I bought it.

Later, I kept referring back to one specific poem that had struck me. It was rhymeless, but I decided it should be a song (a self-challenge Margarita).

After a few days work I had an air that felt right and a proper guitar part. I was very happy since I write very little. Then I realized that I probably could never perform it in public without the poets permission.

So I called the Arts Council and asked if they could have the poet call me. They agreed and a few days later she called. She remembered who I was and said she would want to hear the song first before giving her permission.

We set up a time to meet so I could play the song for her. Only after I hung up did I face the possibility that if she didn't like it and didn't give her permission, I was stuck with a song I liked and no way to perform it.

When we met it was the most nervous performance of my life. She came with her son's Fisher Price tape cassette recorder. I played the song and fortunately she liked it. We talked some about music in general and I told her about the Potluck Singing Society group. She was fascinated as she had a dream of meeting with a group of people just to sing.

Laura has become a good friend and a regular member of our Potluck Sings. We are both happier for having met.

God I love music!

Big RiB