Page 4 of Orpheus
Making you laugh is my ultimate ploy.
On my head you’ll see my ivy crown.
With a smile on my face, never a frown.
With grace and flow, I’m Terpsichore.
The muse of dance, my movements you’ll adore.
I’ve danced for Gods, kings, and queens,
Even warriors, peasants, and everything in between.
And last but not least, is Calliope, the chief muse.
I’m the superior of my sisters, granted by Zeus.
Presiding over eloquence and all forms of art,
I’d share my talents aloud with you, but I don’t even know where to start.
Each of the muses then came forward side by side, continuing to sway their hips with the most seductive of movements. It was difficult for me to now keep my eye on just one of them, as they all were beautiful, their vibrant colors and garbs flowing with ease.
As we close out this song, a few final words we’ll impart.
Leaving you with great wisdom before we depart.
Follow your passions through all forms of art.
For that is the key to unlocking the passion in your heart.
My aunts and mother held each other’s hands and bowed to us. The lights in the room were no longer dim. The flames of the candles returned to normal. I could not help but stand up in my chair to clap and cheer for them, despite the action not showing the proper manners I had been taught at the dinner table.
Luckily, my father ignored my inelegant behavior, since he too was distracted with the muses, applauding them on as well. “Bravo, my beautiful wife, and all of you! That was absolutely phenomenal! You all have outdone yourselves,” he praised.
“You really think so?” my mother Calliope asked him. “You saw no missteps or errors? Do you think we are fully prepared for the celebration on Mount Olympus?”
King Oeagrus enthusiastically nodded. “Yes! Your performance will be what all the gods and goddesses gossip about after the event. They will surely talk about it for years to come.”
My eyes remained widened, admiring my mother and her sisters. Everything they were and everything they did. I wanted nothing more than to be like them. And I was determined to practice every day until I could go even beyond them and be the greatest artist that ever lived.
Chapter 2
“It’s all in the timing of your fingers and their placement, Orpheus. Here, let me show you.” Euterpe pulled out her own aulos and methodically pressed her delicate fingers onto each hole as she gracefully blew into the fine ivory instrument. The most gorgeous, rich sounds were elicited from it.
My aunt retracted her lips from her aulos once she was done. “Do you see what went wrong with yours compared to mine? Make sure you are using both sets of hands equally. All of your fingers should be limber as you play. You apply far too much pressure into the holes, which is why your tune comes off slightly deeper than mine. More than it should. Now try it again,” Euterpe instructed.
I raised my aulos close to my mouth. Closing my eyes, I was then lost into the music, ignoring all of my surroundings in the meadow we were in. The insects chirping in the stalks around us did nothing to distract me. I was even oblivious to the gentle breeze that grazed my skin and made the small hairs on my neck stand erect.
My heart was now taking over, ruling my body, controlling every intricate movement of my hands and brush of my lips as I played my new song aloud for Euterpe. This temporary trance always overcame me when I was succumbing to the music in my soul. The melodies coming forth from my aulos drowned out all of the sounds of nature around us. Somehow, my playing evoked something so natural and authentic than even nature itself.
Once I had finished my tune, I dropped my instrument away from my mouth. My eyes opened once again as I no longer transcended Earth and was brought back down to reality. The chirping of the crickets and the wild calls from the meadow plovers took control of our listening again.
I had spent the last six years growing my skills in music, art and poetry. Now that I was eighteen, I had given myself more direction with my pursued interests, and it was music that called to me. I still loved art and creating beautiful poems, but I would be lying to myself if I said that music didn’t bring out a stronger flame within me than my other passions.
It was why I spent most of my leisure time with my aunt Euterpe these days. She was the muse that presided over music. Her talents with the aulos and other musical instruments were far greater than that of her sisters. Thus, she became my mentor, guiding me and my musical talents I possessed.
I simply eyed Euterpe, trying to read her thoughts on my recent performance based on her facial expression. But she was giving me nothing. She held a stern look, which left me more nervous that my playing did not satisfy her. But I was completely misguided with that assumption.
