The Chesapeake in Wintertime
(Sonnet -- Song)
By Joyce Edelson

The Chesapeake in Wintertime -- blue crabs lying low,
Oysters must rejuvenate – now their time to grow.

Skipjacks, sloops and all the sails – drydocked on the shore,
Wonder what they’re missing – so cold forevermore.

Ocean and river waters - cold and unforgiving,
Lap onto the shoreline - ducks and geese a-feeding.

Wetlands, grasses, marshes - nature’s bounty hidden,
The Bay and land lie fallow – ‘n Scripture it is written.

Vacation means to vacate – man and creatures too,
For Spring soon comes again – and life begins anew.

Egrets ‘n herons a-watch – new fishing lines and nets,
Now full circle life has come – thanks to winter’s rest.

Can we share the vision – creation so divine,
Yes we love the Chesapeake – ‘specially ‘n Wintertime


Author’s note:  I try not to take myself too seriously, but there is one issue about which I am passionate – and that is the survival of the Chesapeake Bay, the world’s largest estuary.  This verse, written in dactylic (or heroic) hexameter, is my muse expressing love of the Bay.  Therein lays the challenge – to be courageous and heroic about saving the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.

Lyrics Copyrighted 2009 by Joyce Edelson


LONELY CHILD OF THE HEARTLAND
Lyrics and Music By Joyce Edelson

Lonely child of the heartland, burning up inside,
All she ever yearned for, were far off city lights.
But Mother said to study, the lights for now are dim,
If you will keep your head on, the lights will come again.

Time to leave the country, arrived one day in May,
Good-bye to friends and family, she’s off to play Broadway.
Mother said to hurry, and do her family proud,
To feel the roar of greasepaint, hear and smell the crowd.

First, to make the rental, the day shift comes and goes,
The beacon of the nightlife, is mostly what she knows.
The childhood music lessons, learned at her mother’s knee,
Provided all she needed; she often sang till 3:00.

Once the big time saw her, New York, now the draw,
All her sights and senses, filled wanderlust and awe.
Success was only fleeting, the shows came to an end.
Her lonely heart went begging, country in her head.

Her regards to Broadway, could never fill the need,
Of home and hearth and farmland, a call she dared not heed.
Fate did cast upon her, a line to reel her in,
The circle never broken, now she’s at home again.

A farmer in the city, took her away from there,
And now upon his tractor, the land is in her care.
Be careful what you wish for, sometimes your dreams come true,
For when the day is over, you’ll sing to only you.

Music and Lyrics Copyrighted 2004 by Joyce Edelson