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The Fiddler or the Band by Dorothea Barth 2010

A musical dilemma reigns When this choice is at hand: Lose your soul but soldier on The fiddler or the band? Curb that swell and still that phrase Maestro doth declare Your feeling 's false, it was not writ How do you even dare? New bowings not bestowed today But slam you if you try To diagram your own bow's path To help the passage by All this swaying 's got to stop Stay still and barely move And if you neither feel nor see Maestro will approve. Sit right here, no, sit right there That seat your eyes devour At dress rehearsal we will fill With fiddler of the hour Protectors of the fiddle Might be inspired to flee When oligarchic canon Usurps their liberty Would that the scene were balanced Would that it not belittle I'd pirouette and sing in praise: I love both band and fiddle! Where have you gone, my mentor You wise and prudent guide Who gave my notes direction While staying on my side To each his Dulcinea To each his special song To each the challenge to discern What's right and what feels wrong And so repeats the question To fiddlers everywhere I think I know the answer The fiddle I will spare

Key words: The Fiddler or the Band, Dorothea Barth Prose and Poetry, violin poetry