Relax with Song of the Whales
Relax with Song of the Whales,
the CD title commands, Enhanced
with Music. Drowsy, I listen
to slowly swooping synthesizers
setting a backdrop for the grunts
and whistles of whales
punctuated by the occasional whish
and roar of waves rolling in.
I don’t know what these whales
are saying. Is that gentle chirrup
a mother calling to her calf,
a mating cry, a poem?
That upwards crescendo
a question, a plan, a plea?
Or is it all just random sound?
I imagine somewhere, after having
placed a cosmic microphone
on some street corner, some other-
worldly beings buying Relax
with Song of the Humans.
Gentle synthesizers play
a haunting tune and voices
swirl up in the mix:
“Jimmy, get your ass
back here before I smack you!”
The synthesizers swoop
and soften. A different
voice: “I knew he was cheating
on me, the bastard.” And
another as the song reaches
its crescendo: “Man, we was
so wasted last night, you
shoulda been there … yeah,
but it was a good time
till the cops came.” The music
dips and swerves
to a softer resolution, chimes
and quiet voices: “Would you like
to super-size that? … My boss
is such a fink, I swear, a rat fink …
Did you see what she
was wearing? … Thanks
and have a nice day!”
I imagine Song of the Humans
pouring out through speakers,
a being relaxing in the wonder
of such melodic voices,
such lovely earthly song.
On my CD, the humpback whales
continue to whistle, to cry,
to sing. Obeying the instructions,
I listen and Relax.
