When People Say Classical Music Helps Them Relax by Lynn Glicklich Cohen

When People Say Classical Music Helps Them Relax

I think of the hard metal
folding chairs on uneven grass,
pages blow closed and open
during Pachelbel, the bride
finally reaches the altar,
violinist cues the final repeat.

Beethoven Symphony #8 in Jerusalem,
heartbroken by the trombonist who used to wink
at me above the head of the bassoonist
but won’t look at me now.

Bach Cello Suite in G Major, on stage,
fingers cold, palms sweaty, my vivace pulse
in rhythmic dissonance with the Prelude’s
languid tempo. All those people I invited—
why? why? why?—watching.

Mahler 1st, Ozawa conducting, Tanglewood
pines, smell of charred meat from the commissary
kitchen, my stand partner’s condescension,
his sneer and bow tip slap on the score
after my late page turn.

Bartok duos busked in Boston subway
stations, dragging stool, stand, instrument
down escalators, screech of wheels competing
with Bela’s surprising harmonies, our loot
loose change and a couple bills, barely enough
to share a pizza.

Strauss waltzes for a formal Spring gala,
free drinks for the musicians, laughing
too hard to pluck the pizzicato
for Blue Danube, eyes rolling in step
with the schmaltzy music, sweat and merlot
staining my gown.

The hair on my neck, the gooseflesh
on my arms, the heat in my cheeks and lump
in my throat. To stop and start, speed up and slow
down, get loud and soft, change bows and breathe
together. It’s incredible when you think about it—
to have been the girl who did that.

*

Lynn Glicklich Cohen is a poet from Milwaukee, WI. A once-upon-a-time social worker, a perennial cellist and semi-retired Rolfer, her poems have been published in Brushfire Literature and Arts Journal, Birmingham Arts Journal, Cantos, El Portal, Evening Street Review, Front Range Review, Grand Journal, Oberon, ONE ART, Peregrine, The Midwest Quarterly, The Phoenix, The Red Wheelbarrow, St. Katherine’s Review, Thin Air Magazine, Trampoline, Whistling Shade, and others. www.lynnglicklichcohenpoet.com