As performed at the Encore Creativity Scholarship Cabaret by choir director Joey Clark, March 8, 2025
I wrote the words for this piece on the morning of November 5, 2024; the day of the US Presidential election. I was giddy with hope that Kamala would finally become the first woman president of the United States. Twenty-four hours later, after her loss, I was in despair. I nearly abandoned this piece. But I quickly realized that, more than ever, I needed something fun and uplifting (and a bit silly) to bring me Hope for the future. I also needed an escape from the anticipated dark days ahead for me, my family and my much-loved Country. Thus, the sub-title of the piece, “Skippy two-shoes goes to La-La Land,” arrived in my psyche. I imagined myself and my loved ones skipping and dancing and singing together (perhaps down a yellow brick road?); all of us living fully for the moment. After all, when Community and Hope are united, we are Never Better! This piece is Part 1 of the Resistance Suite. Part Two is coming soon.
Early in 2025, seeing the destruction being wrought on my beloved country, by the people in power in Washington DC, was almost more than I could bear. A good friend challenged me to write a protest song for the moment. While this piece didn’t turn out to be that type of statement, I felt I needed to express the deep love I have for my country….something many of us didn’t know we had, until the threat of our precious democracy being annihilated, arrived at our doorstep. May there be a time, in the not-too-distant future, when all our trials are behind us and brighter suns will shine. ‘We Resist, Hope prevails, We Rise! ‘ This is Part Two of the Resistance Suite.
Garden Walks-Live
Stories /
Performed by Jeffrey Chappell, March 22, 2025. Videographer: John Dennis Murphey
I have a big, beautiful garden. I look at it every day out my window. I walk through it often and at all times of the day or night. It brings me great calm and joy. I started this piece as a celebration of that space. But during the writing process, something changed. I have a dear friend, and fellow gardener, Maria. This summer, she received a diagnosis of cancer. And within 3 weeks she was gone. We thought we had time. This composition is for her. The different sections of the piece became a metaphor for her life and death. I will remember her always as a joyous garden spirit.
This contra dance piece was written in honor of my daughter’s wedding. It was performed at the local Town Hall where a local band played while the attendees danced to this piece. The dragonfly has a special role in the wedding planning for Ava and Genevieve; while discussing their wedding details at their cabin, a resident dragonfly had the final say on the choice of a wedding date! Ask them to tell you the story.
Hurry up; take a breath; savor the sunrise; no time to waste. Slow down; pause at the sound of bird songs; smell the flowers in my garden. Sing to quiet the babe, to rock her to sleep, to quiet my soul. Outta time, Outta rhyme.
All those things I’ve been meaning to do, meaning to say, meaning to forgive… Outta time, Outta rhyme.
All those coulda’s, all those woulda’ and shoulda’s, but do I still wanna’s???? Outta time, Outta rhyme.
Dance a jig with my love. They might not be here tomorrow. I might not be here the day after. Too late, no second chance. Outta time, Outta rhyme.
Learning to, no, grasping at, accepting life’s limits, my limits, the limits of time, of aging, of ambition (where did it go?). Frightened by diminishing independence while searching for more meaningful interdependence. Outta time, Outta rhyme.
Sadness at what I’ve always wanted to do but still have not accomplished. Regret for the things I wished I’d done but didn’t. Did I lack the courage? Or perhaps, I just couldn’t see where I was going and didn’t trust the journey to give me the answers. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next time (will there be a next time?). Be brave. Take that risk. Outta time, Outta rhyme.
But let’s not forget the joy, too. There has been more of that than I ever dared to dream. Grateful for what I have, so much, so much. No reason to be sad. And yet, some loved ones are already gone. I miss them deeply. They were out of time before their time. And yet, by some miracle, I am still here. Despite all the see-sawing, life has been spectacularly fine! Blessedly good. Outta time, Outta rhyme… Now’s the Time!
-Marcie Meditch
March 2024