Listening to Music in the Dark

Music is best heard under the cover of darkness.

And silence.

Too often the full effect of a song
is taken captive by the world around us.
The violent growl of a car engine
drowns out the somber emotion of a woman's voice
and the monotony of office clutter
overwhelms the passionate cry of a man's guitar.

But when you let the lights fade away
and flush out the chaos and commotion around you
you make way for the Music to take center stage.

And my God, is it beautiful.

You don't hear the Music -
instead it fills the room like an aroma
and you breathe it in.
It circulates through your blood stream
until it has filled your whole body
and you become one with it.

The guitar's gentle wail sends shivers down your spine,
the rhythmic kick of a snare and pounding of piano keys
become your heartbeat,
and the singer speaks to your soul, not your ears;
All the elements blend together and you feel at peace -
with yourself, with God, with the world
and you will never be the same again.