Diva
Gibbons, tree frogs, katydids, whales,
crickets, cicadas, blackbirds, humans
called their messages, sang their songs
before the flowering of meaning in words,
and monks and nuns in jubilation,
troubadours, choristers, learnt the art
in diligence and aspiration.
Heiress of animal vocalisation,
the diva brings drama, life and light,
soaring beyond and touching the stars,
with lungs, torso, throat and head,
emotion and love, rejoicings and threnodies,
flinging forth her soul and heart
borne by comets of melodies.