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20 May 2012

I must find my voice


I don't know anything about opera, not a thing. But I was drawn to ENO's mini opera competition and well I have to post my entry to my blog in order to enter, so here it is based on a seed story by Will Self.


I must find my voice

I must find my voice
(to civilians) cast light
(to soldiers) cast light
I must find my voice
come futures
come haunt me


(soldiers) speak       (politicians) hush
(civilians) speak       (politicians) hush
(both)     speak        (politicians) hush
(both)     speak        (politicians) hush


who is potentate?
who decides this fate?
is it science or hungry metaphor?
you have made me a guarantor for war!

I must find my voice
(to civilians) cast light
(to soldiers) cast light
I must find my voice
come futures
come haunt me


(the futures argue amongst themselves)

(civilians)marionettes!
(soldiers) puppeteers!
(civilians) empty threats
(politicians) pioneers!
(both) cast light!
(both) cast light!


this intrusion this test
this bonfire this nest
who is potentate?
who decides this fate?
is it science or hungry metaphor?
you have made me a guarantor for war!


(soldiers) we       (politicians) me
(civilians) we       (politicians) me
(both) we            (politicians) me
(both) we            (politicians) me


come futures come haunt me 
come tear me and taunt me
come closer come here
don't disappear


(the futures voices get quieter and quieter)
 
(soldiers) going       (politicians) gone
(civilians) going       (politicians) gone
(both) going            (politicians) gone
(both) going            (politicians) gone


to whom do I speak?
do I speak at all?
does my voice make a difference
does it thicken the wall?
this is lost
this is found
this is sombre ground
this is people this is homes 
this is death this is drones 
to whom do I speak?
do I speak at all?
this intrusion this test
this bonfire this nest
who is potentate?
who decides this fate?
is it science or hungry metaphor?
you have made me a guarantor for war!

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