to be sung

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for soprano, mezzo-soprano or alto voice

am i the one

who looks most like you

in the world?

 

who looks most like you

eyes or hands

mouth or song?

 

in this whole world

is there one

as yours as me?

 

i am the one

who holds your song

inside my skin.

(This love song to all of my ancestors is inspired by this picture of me twinning with my dear Aunt Una, the great opera singer. Right now my aunt and my other relatives in Anguilla are dealing with a complete shut down of an economy seduced and betrayed by tourism. Their food supply, almost entirely imported is a major question. Aunt Una’s voice could break windows, has opened doors. And sometimes she will face the ocean and sing. )

Alexis Pauline Gumbs