Farewell Gamelan

a gamelan lies on the fifth floor - its players are grieving -
it should be resounding with rhythms and echoing chimes
for gamel means hammer - so why don't those beaters start heaving

I can't think of anything musically sadder than leaving
a gamelan lying neglected and gathering grime
it needs to be polished and played - we musicians are grieving

we used to rejoice in the sound of the instruments weaving
their intricate patterns while kendang and gongs kept the time
though gamel means hammer - it's programs and staff that they're cleaving

when at last we secured that ensemble - imagine how pleasing
it was after struggling for funding for years - now we find
we are back where we started - no wonder performers are grieving

imagine the loss of world music - sad news we're receiving -
those melodies kept us in tune - culture's food and its wine
though gamel means strike it's our hearts that are doing the heaving

soon they'll come with the trolleys - ensemble and stands will be leaving -
put the lot in some store room forgotten - all deemed past its prime -
to lie there unplayed - though we're shattered and cannot cease grieving
if gamel means strike - we will do it - for hearing's believing


© Hazel Hall
31 May 2012