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Dr. Sue Song (or Poem) of the Month “Winter Rhythm” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Song (or Poem) of the Month “Winter Rhythm” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue November 2020
Dr. Sue November 2020, Photo by SuZen

Do you like a Creative Challenge? Do you enjoy songs, poetry, art, and nature? Do you like combining words with music or pictures? Do you like learning and/or teaching, and sharing?

Here is your Song/Poem Challenge of the Month!

Create a song or poem inspired by a month, season, and/or holiday – with an optional image. If you don’t compose music, write a lyric or poem.

Here is “Winter Rhythm” my song and poem inspired by December with an image of migrating geese.

Scroll down for printed lyric, explanation of the poem and my creative process – which may inspire yours! Music is available on request. Click on Image to Enlarge.

Winter Rhythm

Winter Rhythm, something in the sky
Makes the geese sense snow in the air...and fly

Winter Rhythm, something in me grieves
Golden autumn clings to the trees...then leaves

Once upon a summertime we waltzed in sweet romance
Now our steps don't rhyme and we don't dance

Out of rhythm, but trying not to show
In your mind you're gone like the spring 
And though December leaves try to cling
Like the geese, I know...it's time to go

"Winter Rhythm" Words and Music by Susan Horowitz 
copyright 2020
Please request permission to share.

Here’s my explanation of the poem/lyric and my creative process. I hope it inspires your own creativity and love of songs, art, and literature.

My Creative Challenge is a Song or Poem for December. My season is the turn from autumn to winter – from November into December.

I started with the Title – “Winter Rhythm.” I took the title from a music festival sponsored by Urban Stages Theater in New York City (urbanstages.org/winterrhythms)

I like the musicality of the word “rhythms” (which I shortened to “rhythm”) and the connection to the winter season.

I wanted an image from nature that reflects seasonal change – like the migration of birds. I thought about the mallard ducks in the pond of a local park. However, “Ducks” (with the sharp “cks” sound) seemed too sharp, so I changed it to “geese” (with a soft “s” sound) which slid nicely into “sense”.

Migrating geese sense the coming of winter and fly south. How does that connect to other aspects of nature and to human emotions? In the second verse, the glorious golden leaves of autumn turn brown, wither, and fall. I am sad to lose their beauty – which also suggests human loss.

The form and rhythm of the first two verses is the same – which also allows the music to repeat and satisfies our ear – we “catch” the melody. Both verses open with the refrain “Winter Rhythm.”

Now it’s time for a change – the “bridge” of the song, which usually has a different rhythm, melody, and feeling or thought. We shift focus from late autumn/early winter sadness to a memory of summertime happiness. The first two verses introduced the word “rhythm,” but now we focus on a different rhythm – a “waltz,” which has a 3/4 rhythm and is associated with romantic dancing.

The last verse returns to the current season, connects earlier parts of the song and reveals their meaning. “Rhythm” shows up in the refrain, but now the romantic relationship feels “out of rhythm” awkward and forced. “You” (the beloved) are already disconnected from the “spring” (youthful enthusiasm) of early love. As “December leaves” cling to a tree, the speaker wants to cling to the beloved, but realizes that their romance is now frail, fading and falling away. It’s time to move on. “Like the geese, I know…it’s time to go.”

My main poetic influences in writing this song lyric are sonnets of William Shakespeare, which often connect nature (including seasonal change) and human emotions, and the poetry of Edna Saint Vincent Millay – especially her poem “The Spring and the Fall.” The music (in a minor key) suggests sadness – and is available on request.

I hope you enjoy my song lyric/poem and explanatory notes. Enjoy more Blogs with Songs, Comedy, and Entertaining, Educational Virtual Tours. I am Susan “Dr. Sue” Horowitz, Ph.D., Writer-Performer-Professor-Guest Speaker. I programs, including intertactive workshops, in-person and online.

Please use the contact form on my web site to send me an Email, or find me on Facebook, Linked In and YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

(Note: Thanks to Suzen, Photographer (suzennyc.com) for this November photograph of me, taken on our walk in the High Line Park, NYC (thehighline.org) and to Michael Lynch – Website Consultant – and to You – My Dear Readers!)

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Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.

Book: “Queens of Comedy”
(Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and more!)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“SWitch!” Original Play & Musical www.switchthemusical.com

Dr. Sue YouTube Channel
youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue SssWitch

Dr. Sue Sings Funny Witch Song Positive Educational Entertainment

Dr Sue Sings Funny Witch Song Positive Educational Entertainment

Dr. Sue Sings her Funny, Original Song “Accessory to Crime” from her Fun, Family Musical “SssWitch!”

Enjoy Funny Song-Video “Accessory to Crime” by Dr. Sue
from her Original Musical”SssWitch” – www.SssWitch.net .

Dr. Sue, Writer-Performer-Professor, presents a multi-media, entertaining, educational experience! Her original song “Accessory to Crime” from her musical “SssWitch” combines witty, rhyming lyrics and a catchy, sing-along tune.

Dr. Sue speaks to the audience as a funny, flirtatious Witch sharing delightful, magical secrets. Then she sings the witch’s song “Accessory to Crime” in which the witch confesses that she resents the special privileges of Disney-type princesses and turns to a life of naughty crime. This comic confessional-complaint is classic musical theater. The jealous villain is a twist on Shakespearean villains like jealous Iago in “Othello.”

Dr. Sue speaks and sings with humor and clear diction – so important, especially for those for whom English is a second language.

The Witch appears in her fantasy world – a virtual background with a green sky, twisted black branches and a hint of spiders and pumpkins! The virtual background and costume elements (like Dr. Sue’s little witch-like hat) add visual interest and are perfect for online entertainment and learning.

Dr. Sue’s introduction and ending remarks establish Dr. Sue as an Entertaining, Host-Educator for a series of progams or stand alone short videos. The videos may be used as prompts for discusssion and writing, and programs may include other guest speakers, artists, and educators.

Enjoy Dr. Sue’s Song-Video “Accessory to Crime”!

Here’s the “Accessory to Crime” lyric from Dr. Sue”s original musical: “SssWitch”

"Accessory To Crime"
Oh princesses have fame, like that girly - what's her name?
The one with the big pumpkins and the shoes
Without slippers made of glass, it's hard to show my class
So I'm...an Accessory to Crime! 

Oh Beauty had a Beast, a castle and a feast
They call her Belle, but me - they just abuse
They say that I've got zits and very smelly pits
I'm...an Accessory to Crime!

Why do I act like I'm a rat and talk of gloom and doom? 
Why am I cruel to my own cat and ride a big vacuum? 
The devil makes me wear this hat, my outfit makes me itch
I can't impress you with my dress 
So I confess that my success is acting like a witch!

Oh princesses have feet that are tiny and smell sweet
But sister all my blisters tend to ooze
My feet they are humungous, and covered with green fungus!
If I had just one glass slipper, I just might unzip my zipper
For a prince - or a big tipper!
Till that day revenge feels so sublime
I'm...an accessory an accessory...Here's to Crime!

copyright 2020 Susan Horowitz
Written Music is available on Request.
Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz is available as an 
Entertaining, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Singer-Songwriter,
and Teaching Artist. Please Use Contact Form on Website

Please get in touch! We’d love to hear your response and suggestions!

Dr. Sue Logo


Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.

Book: “Queens of Comedy”
(Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and more!)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“SWitch!” Original Play & Musical www.switchthemusical.com

Dr. Sue YouTube Channel
youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos