Thursday, 24 October 2024

Ciaccona

 


Winter Leaflets No. 1 (2021)

 

[Ciaccona]

 

Interest beckons from the very first

an emotion open to hope, ready to sight

free to judge measuring each new burst.

 

Sad it may be, hard to say in its flight

an emotion close to loss, fair wishes blown

caught between schemes and hopeless plight

 

or happy surely so, as the song is known

an emotion not everything, yet everything

flowing overflowing awhile, truth shown.

 

At times a question, doubt borne of fear

an emotion about to stop up further faith

sudden withdrawal and nothing left clear

 

or jealousy likewise a querulous fate

an emotion craving, not having, yearning

betraying secret wants in futile feats.

 

Anger erupts without forewarning

an emotion borne of need for control 

till day’s not afternoon or night or morning

 

till confusion trips the feet, senses roll

an emotion displacing learning, unreal

seeming disharmony its only goal.

 

Calm then is all the need, the real deal

an emotion an antonym of ‘all the rage’

brought down to earth, a balanced feel.

 

Nostalgia dreams, stays on the page

an emotion when time takes time to reflect

memory moonlighting and showing its age.

 

Excitement then again picks up, projects

an emotion where too soon the past is forgot

knowing not what possibly next to expect

 

shock horror, maybe not, disgust hope not

emotions that image up firm taboos

the line crossed, bad shot, the landscape’s blot

 

or romance perchance summons who it may choose

an emotion, if that, if not the entire urge

both antidote and elixir of the blues.

 

Amusement bides its time, trusts the surge

an emotion that gets the line and sees the joke

finding fears all but submerge, and tears, on the verge.

 

Compassion knows how the world goes for broke

an emotion born of suffering that amends

another’s suffering, a true love word spoke.

 

Joy of a sudden releases, ascends

an emotion surpassing emotion versed

a state beyond words, that might never end.

 

 

The chaconne is a dance form, music thought to have been imported into Spain from Mexico in the 16th century. Italy was suspicious of this Hispanic form, but soon adopted it, hence the ciaconna music of the period. This terza rima poem is inspired by the Ciaconna of Antonio Bertali (1605-1669), played here by the San Francisco ensemble Voices of Music, with the glorious Alana Youssefian on baroque violin. Their version has been on loop at our place for some days. The chaconne or ciaconna expresses passing emotions, which is the motive of the poem, emotions felt, identified, and let go of in turn. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIQ6V38MkEw

 

 

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