Peppermint, anyone?

So, I'm sick, and it blows. See, there isn't really anything more pitiful in the field of music than a sick voice major. At least instrumentalists are not hindered from using their fingers, even if they are fatigued, but voice majors can't do anything, and we're supposed to wait until we are completely well to attempt to sing again. Well, that's fine and dandy but I'm an impatient person to begin with, not to mention I have missed my lesson today, my coaching tomorrow, I have junior qualifying juries in a couple of weeks, two opera scene performances next week, a Christmas choir concert after that, and today I was supposed to sing for a lady offering me a job in caroling, who I've already had to put off once. This is no bueno. :( On a slightly different thought, I remembered today one of the first choir pieces at Shasta College. Titled "The Waking" by David Conte, and it's so beautiful and quirky, and really makes we want for Sam to be able to study under David Conte someday. Unfortunately the only recordings I could find were of high school and community college choirs kind of sucking, so here's the poetry instead, a la villanelle:

The Waking

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me, so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.