sotto voce
      By JoHannah P. Green

silent
one by one.
basso profundo
no more.
once rich, pure, sweet
the choir of the heart
each voice-
one by one-
gone silent.
(all the lights of my city
going dark)
once strong,
all the voices
filled the cathedral,
filled each room
within.
melodious;
cacophonous;
high, clear, soaring,
lifting the heart,
surrounding the weakened spots
with the strength
of the choir.

one by one
the soloists walk off the stage.
(all the lights of my city
go dark.)
until the last note,
sung softly,
fades to an echo
and is gone.