Leaves

Slide

Program Notes:
Leaves was composed for YoungArts' TakeOne series, featuring Nia Drummond on voice and myself on piano.

Text:
One by one, like leaves from a tree
All my faiths have forsaken me;
But the stars above my head
Burn in white and delicate red,
And beneath my feet the earth
Brings the sturdy grass to birth.
I who was content to be
But a silken-singing tree,
But a rustle of delight
In the wistful heart of night—
I have lost the leaves that knew
Touch of rain and weight of dew.
Blinded by a leafy crown
I looked neither up nor down—
But the little leaves that die
Have left me room to see the sky;
Now for the first time I know
Stars above and earth below.

Instrumentation:
Soprano
Piano

Duration: c. 4 minutes

score preview for Leaves by Aidan Vass