February 3rd's ghostly tune.

On February 3rd, of this year

the idea of sleep will horrify me.

I'll be visualizing a terrifying sight

I know will haunt me as it has

for years. 

There'll be a whistling breeze. 

Then, with its eerie melody, 

a voice will come fleeting by. 

His southern drawl will be 

unmistakable:

"You say you're gonna leave, 

you know it's a lie 'cause 

that'll be the day that I die."

The recurring words echo each year

orchestrated as notes playing

to a troubled, sputtering engine 

descending above the cornfield.

Sweat will form on my face. 

A trickle will run down my cheek.

My bed will feel like a tomb.

Panic will set in

there'll be a quick series

of sickening thuds

then, like it always does

the music will die--

in the cold, silent, snow.

Author's Note

On February 3, 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with the pilot, Roger Peterson. The event later became known as "The Day the Music Died", after singer-songwriter Don McLean so referred to it in his song "American Pie".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_the_Music_Died

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Bye bye Miss American Pie”- nothing will be the same ever again in the musical world. Thank you for the tribute to “the Father, Son and Holy Ghost” spirited away that cold, snowy day in Iowa. Thank you so much for the tragic video and news bulletin that struck the reality home. Your first line is brilliant and memorable, as is your poem. Thank you!

[Relic]

Thanks for your review, Annette.

[SJ Mullins]

Before I even read your Author's note, the words, "The day the music died," came to mind. So sad. :( Bittersweet piece brilliantly written.

[Raven Moonchild]

(applauds) Dude,this is brilliant!!!! And yes,it was such a sad day for rock and roll fans to hear of the death of such talented musicians. I loved Don McLean's reference to this in "American Pie". That's a song I hope to play on acoustic guitar myself. lol Thank you again for sharing your amazing poetic talent,my friend. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i was nine and such a buddy holly fan...had the singles, played them over and over...

and was so devastated when i heard the news...that day "the music did die for me"

imagine how much more he could have accomplished?

great poem, my friend.

[Relic]

Thanks so much Jacob.

[Chris]

Excellent poetry. It stands on it's own. You might need to change up the quotation marks in the second stanza.

[Relic]

Jut noticed that. I had trouble getting that stanza in there when I revised it. Thanks for letting me know and for the review Chris. :)

[...]

It's not who we are, but what we do, that goes on and on and on. The music didn't die in the snow. It still exists today through those touched by it's creation. The faces change, but the "song" remains the same. We keep the music alive by loving it, as you have here and now :)

[Relic]

Thanks very much Lynn.

[Tate Morgan]

I cant imagine a more painful thing than to die in a plane crash on a snow covered field

[Relic]

And to know it's going to happen moments before must be terrifying. Thanks Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

That is my own fear the idea that you can do nothing about it It is the reason I havent flown in many
a year

[Relic]

I don't blame you. I haven't flown in years.

[Tate Morgan]

whatchabeen upto I have been off for three monthsFinally wrote a new one but have been dealing with personal tragedies my father is dying and i don think he willl cheat the reaper again this time i think it is going to be the last

[Relic]

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that Tate. I know the feeling. My father is 81 and getting worse all the time. I've been off and on here and don't post a much as I used to. I've run out of ideas it seems. Lots of people gone from here so it gets kind of empty around here.

[Tate Morgan]

i do too i find i lack inspiration i often fight depression and it gets a good hold of me for a while but it passes and the ideas return as to fathers who knows mine is as different from me as I am him mine is but 75 but he has died 3 timess already only to cheat the reaper

[Relic]

Really! There must be a reason for him still being here. His work here isn't finished yet. I hope the best for him. (And you). I get bit by the depression bug myself once in a while. I think its normal with all the responsibilities that come along.

[Tate Morgan]

it is sure normal for writers if not prolific amongst us I would liike to think he will continue i dont think so this time all the cards have been dealt

[Relic]

That's a tough thing to have to deal with. Even when you know someone is going to die soon its still a shock. My prayers are with you.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you relic

[Relic]

You're welcome Tate.

[The Analog Kid]

Tim, I really dig the motif you went with here. The form on this one is right up my alley! Good stuff:)

[Relic]

Thanks Pat. :)

[The Analog Kid]

Sure. You wrote of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost of Rock and Roll....

[Relic]

True, never thought of it that way. ha

[~]

Death is never kind.. no matter how it comes, it will always carry somber sounds..

[Relic]

Well said Skittlemetimbers.

[~]

ahaha :) I will make a pearl collection of all the names you keep calling me :)

[~]

ohh and you're welcome :)

[Relic]

haha, sounds good moonglow. :P

[~]

:) ahhhhh ....

[Relic]

.............. :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

Tim, this is a haunting memorial for those musicians who were taken from the world so suddenly...Thank you for writing this and bringing them back into my memory. Quite appropriate I should read this so close to Memorial Day. They were truly gifted musicians, and we are lessor for having them taken so quickly, and having lost tens upon hundreds of potentially beautifully crafted songs from each of them.