Against the Orchestra

by Philip Dacey

If it’s to be
a concerto for violin,
let the orchestra score
be transcribed for piano

so that we hear two voices
in dialogue with each other
rather than one voice
contending with dozens of voices.

Two is all one needs
to say everything.
Ask the yin and the yang.
Ask the day and the night.

Let the orchestra’s notes
shrink into the clarity
of black and white,
the ivories’ home for hands.

Let the orchestra fill its arena,
its super–sized bowl, with super sound,
music as a sporting event —
was more ever less? —

while elsewhere the intimacy
of violin and piano fits
into a small, private room —
was less ever more?

We listen at the door.