SONGSTRESS OF SILVER

SONGSTRESS OF SILVER
(FOR JUDY COLLINS)

Songstress of silver, class personified,

You take the stage with your guitar and your kind blue eyes.

You sing the songs of Pete and Woody, Joni Mitchell,
Leonard Cohen,

And then you grace the keyboards and bless us
with your own songs,

Since You Asked and Secret Gardens,
Holly Ann and Houses.

And the concert hall becomes transformed, like water into wine,
as you weave your sonic tapestry across our hearts and minds.

There’s Ian Tyson’s cowboy, the charms of a day in Chelsea,

A snowstorm deep on Berthoud Peak, Both Sides to every story.

The tale of a revered father, on the Paris river deep
and Singing Lessons loud and clear in their majestic sweep.

Songs of loss and of rebirth that heal the brokenhearted;

Songs that pray for peace on earth,
remembering dreams discarded.


Songstress of silver, blue eyes gleaming, your spirit fills the room,

You take the stage with your guitar and pierce my heart clear through.

The stories from your childhood, Seattle, Colorado,
your dad and all his anecdotes from a life in radio.

Your years with Max and Brico, Mae West’s racy quips,
your feathery voice wraps ‘round a note and calms my restless spirit.

Songstress, make your music, enchant me with the beauty,
songs that speak of giving back, of family and of duty.

Blessed tunes that fill my ears in times that try the soul,
songs that herald faithfulness, when AmazingGrace takes hold.

Songstress of silver, inspiring awe, a living legend dear,
you take the stage and steal my breath with your soprano clear.

You sing the songs of Dylan, the lilt of Stephen Sondheim,
and charm a grateful audience with your gift of love divine.

-BRUCE POTTS
COPYRIGHT 2008
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED