There is something I really like about artists who - no matter how amazing their gifts or abilities - are most in touch with what inspires THEM. And find ways to express that. Last fall we saw Brandi Carlile at Madison Square Garden. At the start of the concert, she paid respect to the place, the history of the performers before her, the audience, to the art of performance, to the music. This poem was inspired by Brandi and band that night.
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When You Knelt and Kissed The Stage At Madison Square Garden
Today is your first headline show
We are in this hall
Hallowed by music
Music that raised the rafters above
We still hear the echo
I bow before no one
Though I worship the ground
On which you walk
I tell myself again
I will not bow
Before you
You and twins and band bound onstage
To cheers, applause, the roar
I am with the multitude
Then you stop
You kneel facing us
You kneel to the stage
You kiss the stage
I know what you’re doing
I know what this is
You bow before the holy
You hear the echoes of the voices
Hallowing this place
You kiss the stage
Now I wish to bow
I bow
Only before the god
That you bow before
Who is your god?
Who is your muse?
We seek the same god
We seek the same muse
In the hall tonight
You kiss the stage
You join the multitude
Let us pray
Thank you Brandi Carlile and band for that night
Yes, she did this
Madison Square Garden, New York City September 14, 2019
PS This show was the first time my wife and I saw Brandi Carlile perform. It was the beginning for us of many shows hearing and appreciating Brandi and band.