In a New York Minute
It is cavernous here at the bottom of the stone steps; the air chilly and brisk because the stone is shielding us from the sun of an autumn September day.
A little hand holds mine, lips slightly parted and eyes wide with wonderment as the music soars to the colossal and colorful mosaic ceiling, carried on cherub’s wings it seems.
In the distance, barely visible save for my memory and familiarity with this space, an angel watches over us, her stiff bronze shoulders offering rest for a flock of tired pigeons while water spouts at her feet, each small solitary fountain providing the backbeat for the song emerging from the voices of the choir inside these inviting arches.
There are 5 of them with skin the color of dark chocolate, lifting their chins and eyes as the strain of the verse begins. One by one, they each add an element, a drop into the harmony pot, until the refrain lifts us, as if on a gentle swell of a calm sea we bob along, the a cappella washing over us.
Eyes meet other eyes, smiles meet other smiles, a community in any language we are entranced and entertained, bonded among the climbing chords.
Awe as a small boy breaks from the group and steps forward to offer his melody; it starts low as if in prayer and then ascends the walls of this vast and open chamber, invoking praise and hope, a plea to for divine intervention and gentle grace.
Amazing.
Grace.
For a moment, the only sound in this cavernous spot is his alto filling the empty spaces between us, warming the reserved hearts among us, united in the exclamation and benediction he sweetly emits.
We do not move, rooted to our spots by pure wonderment as his symphony builds crashes and alights.
In another moment, the veneration is over; fading and floating up above and away from us into the heavens like wisps of heavy smoke that rise in the midst of a magic trick, leaving you believing.
His last note is joined by the clapping of hands, big and small, in boundless admiration for the gift he offered.
As life resumes in the chamber, strollers screech and tiny voices whine, begging for swings and slides. My nostrils take in the aromas of roasted peanuts, burnt doughy pretzels and the dung from the horses that clip-clop on the bridge above us.
We move past the other spectators, our village disbanded, toward the angel, and as my hand drops a crumpled bill into the makeshift collection basket the sunshine hits the tip of my nose.
I am warmed from the inside out.
The song is over but the magic remains.
For this week’s memoir prompt, we’re going to let narrative take a backseat. Choose a moment from your personal history and mine it for sensory detail. Describe it to us in rich, evocative details. Let us breath the air, hear the heartbeat, the songs, feel the fabric and the touch of that moment.
You definitely hit the prompt in all the right spots! I could hear, see, feel everything you described here, Kir. Beautiful.
My friend, if I could see New York with you, I would feel like I accomplished something important in my life. When you write about the city, I fall in love with it through your eyes. The song is glorious, but even the little details (burnt doughy pretzels) take me there, perfectly.
This is gorgeous – I can almost hear the singing. So wonderfully described.
Magic, indeed!Your moment is beautiful, yes.But what really shined through was how important this was to you, how it made you feel.And that? Is perfection!XO
thank you so much, I am so glad that it made you feel like I did, a moment of "magic", so much can happen in that minute. xo
My new wish is that you and I get to see NYC together. I would love to walk those streets with you, nothing would make me happier. I am so glad you liked this. It means the WORLD to me.
thank you so much, you have no idea how much I NEEDED this comment. I'm so glad you liked it my friend. xo
A memory…beautifully put, I feel your joy.
Amazing grace, indeed! It's moments like this that I'm thankful for the grace that allows me to feel, hear and breathe! Thank you for bringing this moment to us.
The way you described it, I could feel the magic of the moment… I've always believe that the ability to sing is truly a gift from God. To hear a small boy, lifting up his voice to praise the Lord… it's humbling. The way you described the church and its structures, the smell of roasted nuts and burnt dough pretzels… girl, you made me want to go to NYC again soon!!
Beautiful…
OOooooo, this one gave me goosebumps! I loved how very PRESENT you made me feel in that place, at that moment, with you! Beautiful! Trish un AZ http://writinginareddress.blogspot.com/2011/09/last-day.html
I had chills by the end of this. That song (one of my mother's favorites) always stops me in my tracks. Beautiful, Kir. And NYC is always magical.
Wow. I have no words.This is amazing, Kir. Fantastic piece!
and now I have no words…thank you so much!
Thank you for this gorgeous comment. It made my day. xo
thank you
it was a good day and a really nice moment. Thank you for that comment my friend.xo
thank you so much for this wonderful comment. I am so glad I could bring that moment to you.
the whole family was so talented, but that little boy's voice just slayed me, I was in awe in that place. If you come to NYC we will visit the Bethesda Fountain together. xo
I love when I can give someone the goodebumps, thank you so much.
What an amazing gift you have to transform the feelings of moments into words. I actually came across you via Tonya's Pinterest, but will happily follow from now on.Just beautiful.
Oh Kir, I'd love that! That'd be totally awesome!!!
Such detail in your beautiful memory!
wow. this was really fantastically amazing. and exactly what the prompt asked for. i mean, i was right there with you. awesome.
This made my eyes tear up with awesome. What a beautiful memory to have.
This is so lovely, Kir! I felt like I was there with you. The detail was so exact and perfect!
That was beautiful Kir! There is absolutely nothing like New York, is there?
One of the most memorble pieces I've read today. Amazing Grace has special meaning to me and to have shared this moment with you just made it even more priceless.
wow. like many others, Im left speechless. This was masterful storytelling. So vivid. Thank you!
This piece almost silences itself, as if in awe, when you discuss the song. It slows down as the moment expands. That's how a moment is exploded. Nicely done.
There just isn't, I am so hoepful that I get to see it with you soon!
thank you so much, that was just what I needed this week.
And your comment made ME tear up with awesome, thank you so much.
That makes me so happy, that you were "right there with me" Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
thank you my friend. xo
Hello new friend and thank you so much for coming over. Your words to me really made a difference today. THANK YOU. I am so glad you liked this.
any comment or compliment from you raises my spirits. Thank you so much.
Hi friend, I am so happy that you enjoyed this, and left such a gorgeous comment. From the bottom of my heart …thank you.
That is a HIGH compliment and I am so thankful to you for leaving it here. THANK U! I am just so glad you read and liked it. Truly.
You gave me the chills, lady!
This is just beautiful. I find music to be the hardest thing to describe, perhaps because it sits next to language in my heart. You do it so well here.
What a truly magical way you have with words, I can hear the song, I can see the crowd and feel the moment! So beautiful!
This gave me chills! Amazing Grace has always been one of my favorites..
Sumptuous. Delicious. Thank you for sharing this post!
Beautiful!! I've never been to New York. Would love to go someday!
Good grief. I think I was holding my breath while I was reading that. First, you had me at the little hand. I could feel my little hands in mine. Second, the song. Oh the song. Brings tears to my throat every time. Good luck with lovelinks my friend!
“I am warmed from the inside out” <—- LOVE!!! I love how you captured how the music and the moment made you feel on one sentence.
why thank you ….truly, what a beautiful commment for me. That meant a lot to me, I am just glad you enjoyed reading it.
Very good use of sensory details. An example to aspire to.
thank you so much….that means a lot to me.
why didn’t I comment this the first time? it’s gorgeous. I love how you set everything in the first 30 or so words.
You write with such passion, K. I’m envious of how you bring it every time. This is one of your best pieces, and an amazing memory.
HI there! thank you for this really amazing comment. I am so glad you enjoyed reading it…I really like it too…almost like it reminds me what I am capable of. Hope you’re having a great week.
Beautiful.
thank you!!!!