Sweet Harmony

she sat away from the crowd
quietly reflecting,
with her head bowed low and her eyes half-closed
I wondered what she was thinking,
the music played while the children sang
songs full of hope and adventure,
laughter filled the air
smiles everywhere
but there,
near that gray haired lady's solemn chair ...
was she missing someone dear
a spouse, perhaps?
remembering better times in her life
as those memories danced inside
taking her to another place when she was,
like so many here today
I watched in awe, as there seemed to be
two realities here at bay,
the larger one that was today
against the shadow of it's recessive
I rose from my chair and ventured near
and to my great surprise,
the song I heard
the song she sang
brought tears of joy to my astonished eyes
this solemn lady
with her head bowed low
sang every word
hummed right along
with the children there
as they sang their songs
completely,
in every note and key ...