i stand to the side, or
toward the back
and make small sounds
at hopefully appropriate times

though i am loud
i am soft
blending, joining
strengthening

i want to make
my own sounds
have my own
voice

but the lesson is
that greater beauty
is in more so the combined
less so the solo

when the solo comes
i will stand beside
or behind
the listener

there will always
be someone
to whom
i can give

-- Tom Rubenoff