The Background on How I Came to Write A Symphony for Portland (Part 2)
THE HOLIDAYS
When I am writing, just as when I practice, it’s a bit of this song here, a bit of this song there. During my research I discovered a fund-raising effort by one of the shelters that featured poetry and artwork on Christmas Cards, provided by several of the young people they served. There was this one poem that so affected me I immediately set it to music. I then wrote the shelter asking for permission to use the words with a promise, in writing, that if anything ever became of the song, I would share the profits with the poet. The young lady who wrote it wouldn’t give me permission. Later, when I decided to add the song to the musical, I tried again to get permission. The answer was still, “No.” I kept the melody but used my own words. That song is “The Holidays.” Quoting from the Christmas Card, Kelly had written:
"Sometimes I like to tell myself, that the trees, on nights where my breath is more visible than the image inside my head of holidays with family, were put there for me and the thousands out there, without homes on these nights, who still manage to see, the light."
It would have made a great 1st verse.
My lyrics were going to be the 2nd verse, but now they are the only verse:
"The holidays have always been a bit sad, and yet, I still love the lights and the hope their colors bring to me and all my friends, out on the streets who want to believe in the promise of life, beyond our misery, that will give all our hearts, joy and peace."
Different enough, but not as poignant, or perhaps, as heartbreaking.
THAT YOUNG MAN I FIRST MET
Sometimes I feel like I’m living that part of “the Blues Brother” movie where Jake and Elwood have visited Sister Mary Stigmata and determined that they are on a mission from God. Things happen or they don’t happen. Then you wonder is this just serendipitous or is this God trying to tell you something. While looking for a logo, poster art, I found the photo for the bench I currently use. It was taken by the very talented artist, Nathan Smith of Crossmark Designs in Portland. He had taken a series of photos in Portland, including an entire series of homeless people. I’m scrolling through all his photos when suddenly I realize I am looking at the same young man I met that January back in 2012. I think streams must have crossed each other somewhere, but there he was. I often wonder who he was and where he ended up.