A Discordant Note

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 28 Jul 2025
  • 329 reads
10 comments
 

When she joined the orchestra, Emma
had to choose a musical instrument.
This proved to be a major dilemma
as she couldn't solve her predicament 

Would it be an oboe or a French horn?
What was suitable for a versatile lass?
Between two alternatives she was torn:
The woodwind section and the brass.

Her mother was playing the clarinet
and her father excelled with the flute.
Emma was her devoted parents' pet
so it'd make sense to follow suit.

But she was a rebellious adolescent
and following a heated discussion,
she decided not to be condescent
and opted instead for percussion.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2025

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Jessiibear on

This was such a fun read!

The rhyme scheme carried it along so smoothly, and I loved Emma’s little act of rebellion at the end — the percussion choice felt perfect for her. There’s a cheeky kind of charm here, like the whole thing is smiling at itself a little. Really enjoyed this one :)

 

Jess <3

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi, Jess. Glad you enjoyed this little whimsical piece.  Prompted by Inspiration Point, it was enjoyable to write it. I see from your potted biography that you are in your twenties, so it's no wonder you can identify with the young rebel. I, on the other hand, at the venerable age of 90, I am bound to disapprove by wagging a finger at the young rascal. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Jessiibear on

Luigi, you’ve absolutely made my day. Thank you for your generous reply. I can only hope to wield words with such ease and cheek when I reach your venerable age (though I suspect I’ll still be siding with the rascal). wink

 

Jess <3

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Dear Jess, no need to look much into the future. You have already shown the fluency of your pen on thiese pages and proved that you are an accomplished wordsmith who, by the time you reach my age, will have produced many more brilliant pieces.
I write for myself, as a hobby, with no literay ambitions, and that's possibly why my words are easy on the eye. Maybe your aims are different and you hope to become a celebrated published author. 

Best wishes, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

They could form a family band then, Lujigi - when they'd mastered their instruments enough! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

They could indeed, Rhiannon, if they were able to harmonize.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

What a fun read, Luigi. Although I pity Emma's next door neighbours - I once lived next door to a family whose lad played the drums. His father did used to turn up with a bottle of wine every Christmas, though, to thank us for our patience!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Jane. I am THAT NEIGHBOUR!  Next door to me lives a young girl whose choice of musucal instrument was the drum. During the summer, with the windows open, I could hear her practising. Lately, though, the noises have stopped. I think she may have grown out of her ambition to become the next Ringo Starr. laugh

Thanks for reading.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

One of my best friends those days, Dr James did a composition for his doctorate in America, he said it was on a dirt shute down to the dustbin and rubbish, he thought this was very funny. Discord or dissonance or something they called it.

He was really crazy but a good man one of my best friends, passed some years ago.

Highly regarded as composer his greatest work and claim to fame was a funeral march for Nelson Mandela, as far as I know of course, never performed. He did write some beautiful music he was very versatile.

Even to my surprise discovered he could play a descent game of Chess too!

Keep well Luigi! Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Really interesting, Tom. Thank you.