Threnody, a setting of a poem by Martha Kirby Capo, was premiered on June 13, 2008 at the New Music Arizona concert of the Chaparral MusicFest 2008. Martha’s poem is a reflection upon a young family’s loss of their first born. Martha, who ministered to this family within her church, remarked in an email to me, “That's one thing about working in a church -- you certainly have a lot of instances where you're called to walk with people through some very painful places.”

The settings is for string orchestra, marimba, and women’s choir. Layne Longfellow gave a moving reading of the poem to the audience prior to its performance.

Threnody
by Martha Kirby Capo
Copyright 2007

On a cold, rainy November
night James Michael died
as I cradled him in
my new mother's arms
we were so young and
now in the silent space of
a heartbeat
I am so old
and my new mother's
arms are empty.

The chill panes are misted
with my breath
indifferent raindrops
splatter turgid trickling
half-moon rivers
I do not see
their source I

cannot know their end.

James Michael has rested
on his seventh day of creation.

please
make
it
stop
raining