(NOTE: This instrument, called the hang, is pronounced “hong.” Click on the video before you read the poem!)
ZEN MAN
Find him in nature
a shaded nook where
trees whisper stories of
the ancient ones.
Matthew finds a
perfect perch and
carefully lifts his hang,
its song to share.
Nimble, careful,
deliberate fingers seem
carved from soft wood,
burnished brown.
He conjures chords,
soothing harmonies,
unearthly sounds, yet
so natural: Soul songs.
In this moment there is only
Matt, the hang, and strains
of unrestrained bliss;
the gods conjured his gift.
And we, who were
a moment ago merely
bumps on a log are
lifted to a higher place…
Musical, ethereal, reflective, mindful.
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Perfect moment for ABC Wednesday to feature the letter “Z.”
Also, Kim Nelson at Poets United (my poetic shady nook) asked for poems about reflection.
My cousin by marriage, Matt Venuti, is a soulful musician. Please visit his site, www.mattvenuti.com, for more videos and information about his art. He also plays the EVI and a variety of other instruments, but the hang has his heart at present.
He is also one of those musicians who didn’t get into it so he could drink and smoke on the job! He’s a gentle soul, utterly sincere, and wildly talented… yet humble. If you’re lucky, you’ll experience him performing live.
Peace from a lucky cousin, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Poetry and Icecream
Love this Amy. An interesting instrument and a mystical poem 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
THanks. I’m blessed to know Matt. I tried to go to your blog but they said it wasn’t registered, sorry! A
Poetry and Icecream
That’s weird…I wonder how many times that’s happened. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
vivinfrance
That music gets under your skin! And your poem complements it beautifully. I’d love to try the Hang – a fascinating instrument.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, if you have five thousand bucks to spare!!! Actually, don’t know the cost, but it’s pricey. Isn’t my cousin great?
Debbie
So beautiful Amy! I had never seen or heard of a hang before, so this really blessed me! Thanks for sharing . .I am wowed by Matt and his gifts!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Debbie. He truly is a gifted man and a gift to us.
Polly Robinson
Like Debbie, I have never heard of a hang before ~ what an extraordinarily beautiful sound, gentle, mysterious, evocative of the elements and nature ~ I love your poem Amy and thank you for introducing me to Matt and the instrument. x
Roger Green
This is a treat. But then, you always are.
brian miller
these are really cool instruments….not as easy to make either as they would seem…but there are instructions online…they make beautiful music….
lesliebc
Does he have a CD out there somewhere? This is so relaxing!
Leslie
abcw team
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes. Try his website, http://www.mattvenuti.com
Kim Nelson
You never fail to make me feel connected to the words, the music, the message. Thank you, Amy.
El Guapo
Great piece! And one of the nice things about music – it always has the power to evoke that.
1sojournal
Beautiful Amy! Listened, then called my daughter in to hear it. All she said was, “That’s Awesome!” And I will echo the others who have already said that your words make a wonderful marriage with the sound and the images,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh now I must have a hang! SO beautiful, this music! Wonderful poem too. Thanks for the introduction, Amy – I am after his cd now!
Richie
Amazing music and instrument.
An Arkies Musings
Gemma Wiseman
A beautiful little poem reflecting on the ethereal sounds of the hang and the amazing talent of this performer to capture the essence of Nature’s world! So very lovely! So haunting!
Mary
This is beautiful, Amy! it gives me a sense of peacefulness as I read it.
coalblack
Music soothes the savage breast…or inspires it. Your poem has a peaceful, spiritual quality to it. You so zen, chica! Shhhh & Listen….
Herotomost
Never heard of a Hang until now…how effing cool is that. And he is amazing…fodder for inspiration for sure.Loved the tribute….and wish I was there to listen live and not be a bump on a log…lol. Great work.
bajanpoet
This is beautiful… listening to the music of the Hang while reading was … wow … Loved it. And the poem itself is beautiful 🙂
Audrey Howitt
A soulful piece Amy—beautifully done!!
Laura Hegfield
beautiful poem and that music… oh how it soothes my soul… thank you so much for sharing this!
Vina
Filynla! This is just what I was looking for.
life insurance for seniors
Tip top stuff. I’ll expect more now.
dani
wow! i love the way he uses taking a breath as part of the music…. listening to such ethereal music gave me shivers… beautiful is an insufficient description! thanks for introducing us to Matt and his website!
♥
Sara V
Amy, that is so amazing. It makes me want to learn how to play the hang. It is ethereal, peaceful–I could feel my vertebrae relaxing. Thank you so much for the music (as always, love your music) and poetry–always love that too–such a gift you are 🙂
Carver
Beautiful poem and post. Great choice for z.
Kim or Lisa
This made my soul sing. The sound made by the hang and the imagery of the poem.
whimsygizmo
Beautiful, Amy. I especially love the third stanza:
“Nimble, careful,
deliberate fingers seem
carved from soft wood,
burnished brown.”
I can see this, so vividly. Wonderful.
Adrian Giannini
way to kewl…. as we are both musically influenced this week… must be the frangipani
tigerbrite
Just beautiful, the music and the poem 🙂
zongrik
i like this line-> the hang, and strains
of unrestrained bliss;
Teresa
I can’t watch the video where I’m at, but I can hardly wait to get home and see it. This is a beautiful poem.
Dick
A graceful and mellow account of the music. Someone once said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Not so!
Rallentanda
Thanks for this..Lovely music!
jasmine calyx
Oh, Amy. This was so relaxing and pleasurable to read, especially while listening to the music.
These are my favorites:
“Nimble, careful,
deliberate fingers seem
carved from soft wood,
burnished brown.
He conjures chords,”
“In this moment there is only
Matt, the hang, and strains
of unrestrained bliss;
the gods conjured his gift.
And we, who were”
Gretchen Leary
Nice job. I like the flow in this poem. It looks really cool as well with the format you used. 🙂
Rajesh
Very beautifully done.
Renee Espriu
Absolutely enchanting. How wonderful just to close one’s eyes and listen. I love this and your writing gives beautiful homage to this gifted man.
Yousei Hime
Chosen at random to return your visit. I’m so fortunate to have picked this post. That was lovely. I’m going to look for a cd now. Thank you so much for sharing it. I’m hoping you shared your poem with him as well. 😉
Yousei Hime
😦 Says link to Matt’s site doesn’t work. I’m going to try typing it in manually. That worked. 😀