tribute: music is

Mere strokes of black and white
that give birth to colourful expressions
of the deepest emotional passion,
compelling those within reach to respond
with excitement, calm, sadness, joy,
love, lust, awe and anger.

A stimulant of yearning or comfort
for a soul left solitude,
erupting memories with each measure,
bringing loved ones close
and lovers closer.

The voice of a people too poor to be heard,
that carries the weight of their burdens
with each note,
imprinting their hardships, successes, and hopes
of someday being ignored no longer.

The single most unifying element
between nationality, culture, race and class
yet so diverse it welcomes an earthly king,
praises the heavenly Father,
initiates revelry in the streets,
communicates and signals the rebellion of slaves,
and soothes a newborn to slumber.

All this and more and yet
music is... nothing

without you.