Ave Maria

I dreamed music.

I was a teacher of some sort at a large elementary school. There was to be a big assembly with aerialists, acrobats and clowns. All the kiddles would be singing or dancing PLUS we instructors would be kicking up our heels in some way as well.

This was to be an extravaganza.

My friend, college painting studio mate and fellow teacher, Scott Artman, and I were to sing a duet of Ave Maria. In fact all the instructors were to present their own interpretation.  This must have been a parochial school. Perhaps it was my grands', Madison and Juliana’s, Saint Mary’s in Hoosick Falls.

We entered the large assembly hall and found our seats — all of us nervous, eager and excited about the show.

Of a sudden, my long departed from this good green earth, beloved, BFF Kevin appeared — happy, whole, healthy. He slid into the red velvet covered seat next to me just as the lights were dimming. Though forever and a half’s gone by since we were last together it’s as though it was just last week. We’re sparklingly thrilled to be together again. I slip my hand proprietarily between his knees. Content. Blithe. Tranquillo.

Meanwhile, my duet partner, Scott, has done a runner — too shy at the last minute to sing in front of a crowd. It was then that I realized that I’m deaf. Sure I COULD sing, but would assuredly be off key in some spectacularly huge manner. Hells, even when I had a full on 20/20 sound system, I always veered into flat territory when singing. Cringe inspiring, I was.

And I surely couldn’t follow the woman who was currently performing. It was Sheryl, the statuesque, valkyrie of a Sales VP from one of the companies I used to work for. In this phantasm she’s got a voice like amber molasses with a grand theatrical presence which thoroughly enraptures every last listener. Including me. Though I understand that I’m deaf, I hear every line, each stanza.

And, who knew, there ARE multiple stanzas. It’s the full Hail Mary prayer. I didn’t recall that from my Catholic school days but then, I probably was staring out the window, dreaming of cats and cupcakes.

Ave Maria
Gratia plena

Maria, gratia plena

Maria, gratia plena

Ave, ave dominus

Dominus tecum

Benedicta tu in muli eribus

Et benedictus

Et benedictus fructus ventris

Ventris tuae, Jesus

Ave Maria

Ave Maria

Mater Dei

Ora pro nobis peccatoribus

Ora pro nobis

Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus

Nunc et in hora mortis

Et in hora mortis nostrae

Et in hora mortis nostrae

Et in hora mortis nostrae

Ave Maria