The Time Keeper
It was quiet
Then, repetition of notes
Then, repetition of beats,
Phrasings within a motif.
The timekeeper played
Softly, but in a deliberate way,
Skillfully, speaking with each beat
Each tone, each inflection
Creating rhythmic direction.
Tones getting louder, stronger,
More defined, rhythmically in time
Like the speech of a great oracle.
The voice of Martin speaks
The words, a well known speech
As Will emphatically plays harmony
In and around, this voice of freedom.
Playing peculiar times,
Short, long times,
Simple, technical times,
Playing beautiful phrasings.
Expressing emotions, feelings.
Bass tones deep
Creating thunder using feet
Lightening hands, blurring fast,
Oracle speaks, wisdom passed
Light from above shines down,
Spirits of ancestors all around.
The drum, evokes all these things
As the Time Keeper, rocks, swings
In-time, out-time, different times
Four-four time, African six time,
Like an oracle, tell us, we need to know,
Pick up the sticks and let it flow.
Written by Lionel Crawford
© 2004 Lionel Crawford
Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.
