I wrote a Treatment (specific type of prayer) in poem form recently. When I read it to Hannah, she asked if she could have a copy of it. Sure, why not. So, I printed it out, signed it, and gave it to her & Rev. Dale in lieu of a Christmas Card. Then this Sunday Hannah told me the poem had inspired her and she had written music to go with my poem. It's a song in 4 part harmony and she, with 4 others, are practicing it to preform at Rev. Sheila's installation as staff minister at The Centre.
I am having mixed feelings about this. Yes, I am honored that she was inspired by my writing and that she wrote music and turned my poem into a song. And I am feeling left out that she has chosen who will sing it and I am not included. And I was told after the fact. One gal told me she had heard Hannah had written a song... and she hadn't heard it was my words. I know I have to talk to Hannah about this, and soon, yet I don't really know what or how to say this. Not sure what I am feeling or wanting to get across to her, so know I have to figure this out first. For over 2 years I was the Congregational Song Leader, then this fall was told that I am not a good enough singer and now that we have more people and some of them can sing, I'm being replaced for the good of the Centre. I do understand this and I do want to do what is best for the Centre, and yet I still feel hurt and left out now that I am no longer part of the 'music department' when I used to be, with Hannah on piano, the entire music department. Something of a fuss is being made over the wonderful musicians we have. They are wonderful, and I'm sure they are better singers than I am for the most part, yet still.... Now to have them singing my song, it feels like it's been taken away from me too. At this point, I think I will likely never give Hannah another one of my poems, though this is the second time I've given one to her as she has liked my writing all along and been very supportive of my writing.
1 comment:
You have options that don't include throwing a fit. Wait until Hannah and her group sings, and see if you are given credit. If you are not, then do NOT challenge Hannah, just thank her in front of witnesses for setting your poem to music and making it sound so wonderful. If you do this gracefully enough, Hannah will get your point and you won't come out looking like a bitch or a whiner.
As to being left out of the singing -- the Bible says "make a joyful noise", it doesn't say anything about auditions or quality control. It seems to me -- mind you, I could be wrong because I have only heard this one side -- your "Spiritual Center" seems to be a lot about celebrating your pastor and his wife, and a lot about entertaining people and helping them feel good about themselves, and very little about worshiping God. Where does he fit into the picture?
Post a Comment