I was listening to some of the late Jan Harmon's beautiful choral works recently, and it occurred to me that many choral pieces are based on short poems. Then I remembered that way back in college I composed my one and only sonnet, which had as its subject one of my major nonacademic activities during freshman year. I wondered if it might make an interesting, if offbeat, setting for a choral arrangement. So here goes. If anyone comes up with something, I'd love to hear it! (Or maybe I've really lost it this time....)

FLAT FLIP FLIES STRAIGHT
(c)1970 Mark Cohen

There's something in the way it loves the air
The way it soars and glides in wingless flight
That makes one think of birds -- and yet, not quite
Like birds. It is unique: do not compare
Its madly whirling grace to anything.
Just watch its curving pathway through the sky
And learn its ways, and practice long, and try
To tame this gaudy denizen of spring.

Oh, plastic is by far too base for you,
Most noble Frisbee! Even teak won't do.
No, nothing but pure gold, so rich and fine
Could but do justice to your lovely line.
They fear it will not fly? Fear not! I say.
I cannot throw the damn thing anyway.

Aloha,
Mark