I played my heart out one sunset flag lowering
Playing taps on trumpet at church camp
How I held that long, lingering note till my breath nearly ran out
It moved everybody—children surrounded me at chapel afterward
Moved me too, I felt it all, feel it still, I’m there, now—44 years later
I had played solo trumpet in filled concert halls
Been interviewed on radio about it
But that doesn’t hit me now
Like sunset, flag lowering, at church camp
I played trumpet duets that I’d composed
Before and after evening chapel at church camp
44 years ago, and it pleases me now to be there again
I played bass at a church Convention worship service
I see the drummer lean forward to look at me
After a drum solo to get in the groove again
I’m there, 5 years ago, even now
I played bass in packed bars, jazz clubs, hotel dance floors
Church Convention sits with me more pleasantly, now
Then there was Memorial Day at the family trailer campground
Mom and dad and children danced on the cement floor
Mom sang along with the ‘50’s Little Richard song
We played Monkees for a boy who saw them on Nickelodeon TV
And it sits with me like church, 33 years later
COVID-19 affords me much time, much occasion to reflect
Success deconstructs in reflecting over a life well-lived
It sits as a matter of what means to me
And meaning is not a matter of acclaim or money
Church and family camping echo pleasantly
Through the chambers of my heart
And sit well with me in reflections of COVID-19
David Fekete 