Sonnet # 18

Like most people, I absolutely love music. All types too, the only music I really don't care for is the screaming bands. Sorry, it's just becomes annoying background at some point. Unfortunately music was not a big part of either my parents life or mine growing up. I remember in sixth grade we did tryouts for which elective we would go into, like band, choir or theater, and I wanted to do band. I was picked as eligible for it and wanted a xylophone, but my parents couldn't afford it and there went my dream to play in the band, and so died my ability to learn to play music. Instead I went to choir, where I did advance the skill of my voice. I used to be told I had a beautiful voice, over the years I think I've lost the talent if I ever really had it. More than anything, I loved the honesty of the beautiful lyrics in the music. Even if it was wordless, the music carried a story, an emotion, that left you with an experience. I'm sure you all know what I am referring to. The way the music captures a certain element of the human experience. Growing up in Texas, I loved country music. There's a joke that if you play country backwords, you get your wife, kids, car, dog, job, etc. back, lol. Yeah, I get that, country can be rather depressing at times, but it can also lift you to cloud nine, and promise you the moon and the stars. I use country as an example because regardless of whether you like it or not, it's a very lyrical style of music. If it's a sad song, I want to split that whiskey with the guy, and if it's a love song, I imagine the world turning just for me and you. Music also serves as a time machine. It allows you to relive a memory, whether a good time or a heartbreak. It's an immortal element for humanity. Take William Shakesphere's Sonnet #18, more commonly known as "Shall I compare thee..." I had to memorize this sonnet as part of a freshman English class, and it's stuck with me for life. I'm glad I chose this one, although at the time I had no idea how far reaching it would mean for me in my life. For those unfamiliar with the sonnet, Shakespeare compares the love of his life to a beautiful summer day. However, admits that even a beautiful summer day must come to an end sometime, much like the life of his love. However, in just 14 short lines, Shakesphere's immortalized the love of his life through the very poem itself, (line 12-14) "So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see--So lives this, and this gives life to thee." Music and the experience you can relive time and time again is one of life's immortal pleasures. There are songs that are imprinted permanently to our memory, so much so that sometimes the song is "ruined" for us if we can't shake the unwanted reminder. But sometimes, it brings you back to a state of bliss, a place you long to return. I know it's a foolish comfort that a "play" or "repeat" button can relive a moment for us, but nonetheless it can. It's a beautiful gift that music is more immortal that even the hardest of stones, yet so light you can carry it in your heart.