
The diminished chord
The house was old in gracious decay.
The piano played as though not there,
In distance past and far away.
The notes hung softly in the air
The floorboards creaked as I stepped through the dark and lavish hall.
Ethereal music rippling, flowing, faint and beautiful,
lured me in.
A spiral staircase wound down below,
It wound round and round,
around me as I go.
I drew nearer to the celestial piano…
‘Twas somewhere in the basement underground.
Sheet music lay scattered,
Everywhere.
All around.
Chopin increased in sound,
Fortissimo.
And then I found…
The pianist turned and smiled.
I was beguiled.
My lord!
He paused…
And then he finished on a diminished chord.
~
Lesley Scoble, March 2024
I wrote my poem The Diminished Chord in response to Reena’s Xploration Challenge #320. The prompt was to choose a word, either abridged, compressed, diminished, or underplayed to include in your piece.
Thank you, Reena, for your un diminished enthusiasm and motivation.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.








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