The Performer
Jonthan Wang
Jonthan Wang
Grade: 10
Bio: Some things Jonathan enjoys after school are playing music, exercising taekwondo, doing tennis, and being with the boys.
What was the most difficult part of your writing process for this work?
The most difficult part of the writing process, in my opinion, is planning on what to write and how to execute it. Especially for sestinas, the key words you choose are vital to creating an outstanding poem.
What is your ideal writing environment?
My ideal writing environment is a quiet room; the only thing I am supposed to hear are my own thoughts.
How do you resonate with your piece? Why is it personal to you?
I resonate with my piece, and I believe a lot of others do too. There is something about music and the arts that goes beyond physical/literal meanings. When performing for an audience, there is a certain atmosphere that cannot be replicated.
As thunderous applause faded to silence
And the cacophony of voices came to a close,
It was as though everyone was holding their breath.
An electrifying tension no one could stand-
Released upon the arrival of the conductor,
Wielding his baton, ready for the first beat.
The performer could not hear her rapid heart beat
As she listened to the crowd, the only response was silence.
Out her periphery was the conductor’s stand
Tall and unmoving, as if it too was out of breath.
Suddenly, she felt constricted, everything was too close
She stood still, awaiting the conductor.
Finally, came the tap from the conductor.
As he raised his hands for the beat
The musicians raised their instruments in silence
Waiting, as their cue to enter was coming close.
So clear was every detail from the stand,
One could even see the performer’s warm breath
Once she started, it would be over in a breath
As she had done millions of times before, she broke the silence
Her instrument was her friend, family; close
Playing with such grace, she was her own conductor
Even so, never missing a beat.
She played as if this was her last stand.
Was she Euterpe? So majestic did she stand,
Music came from her fingers, rhythm from her breath,
Emotion from her body, toes for the beat.
Infecting the crowd, hardly containing their silence
Hit by a train of music, of which she was conductor
As the climax came to a close.
She no longer felt anxiety, not even close
Her passion was infectious, reaching the stand
Once more, in unison, she breathed with the orchestra, the conductor
Although nearing the end, she must keep the beat
The audience could feel it, they all drew a breath
And thus, arrived the end! Then, silence…
And then, from the stand, an uncertain clap broke the ugly silence.
The conductor, the concert grandmaster, released their breath
As they released the final beat. The curtains came to a close.
Jonathan Wang reads his sestina titled, "The Performer."
Photo Citations: Alexander Krvitskiy, courtesy of Unsplash, https://unsplash.com/photos/8OA3GXQ0PbQ