the odd-shaped pearl

the music does not stop after so many years
each instrument performs like magic on its cue
what's old becomes in a twinkling new
applause falls warmly on each listener's ears
almost the tune brings us to shed our tears
we do not see what the composer had in view
but know what we may see before we're through
the next bright moment banishes our fears
our thoughts in words are not so well expressed
the moment comes and goes and we say not
one word we mean instead we gaze and gape
each of us at that moment fails the test
our minds do not stay cool when things are hot
the angel vanishes and there's just the ape