Women's Chorus

We begin our journey given pieces of a boat which

we will construct over four months of rehearsals.

At first, the pieces are awkward, foreign,

seem impossible to puzzle together.

But we trudge on – portage over rocks, wade across

the shallow sections, a sense of sisterly comradery.

No one complains – even the least experienced

senses a faith as most have already travelled

similar treks, their confidence buoys us up.

Our guides are seasoned and strong armed,

they know the way. Their biggest challenge

is convincing the rest of us to follow their lead.

And follow we do, week after week –

2/4 to 3/8 to 9/8, piano to forte and back again –

slowly building lyric and note.

By the third month the boat begins to take shape,

the composers’ intentions are made clear –

a sturdy deck, framed holes for each oar,

our guides study the mast.

Finally, it is done! An audience lines up along

the riverbank, files aboard, watches and listens

as each chorus member falls back into the water

allowing the river to carry us for a couple of hours.