Poetry Thursday ~ I will shelter you

boho girl & boy, canon digital rebel xt

This picture was taken minutes before us leaving for a Ray LaMontagne concert this past weekend. We've been so consumed lately with opening up my business and him being a web designer extraordinaire, that we haven't made time to go out on many dates. So, while I was spending time with my Seattle Sweeties last week, he surprised me with scoring two tickets to one of our favorite musical artists at a beautiful opera house nestled in the middle of downtown.

It is difficult to put into words how it felt to see him play live and so close. This man is one of the most passionate musicians I have ever seen. He's very quiet, humble and shy. In between sets, he would mumble into the microphone how grateful he is to be here while he nervously ran his fingers through his hair. My empathic self picked up on the fact that it was almost painful for him to be up on stage unless he was playing. Those in between quiet moments felt so awkward for him. When people would shout out..."we love you Ray"...or..."you're gorgeous Ray", he replied quietly..."it isn't true". The fact that he truly has no clue how absolutely amazing he is and that all he wanted to do was play music made him even more endearing to me...to us.

Before he would begin each song, he would stand there quietly for about half a minute to gather his passion, to breathe deep, to bring his head and heart back into the space it needed. Then all of a sudden as he began to strum his guitar and turn around to welcome the other musicians on stage to join in, he would transform into this confident, soulful, passionate, fearless, brave man on a mission to change lives. The music resounded and we could feel his soul with each note.

It was a beautiful thing to witness and brought both my husband and I nearly to tears a few times. At one point, I looked over at my husband and his eyes were closed and his head was swaying to the music, his feet tapping to the drum. It made me fall even more in love with him, if that is possible. I love his passion for music and I appreciate that we share it together.

I love how music has the power to bring such harmony between people when words are not enough.

So, for Poetry Thursday, I am sharing with you one of my most favorite Ray LaMontagne songs:

Shelter

I guess you don't need it
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
It's not like we planned it
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
To see me shut down slow
as though it was an easy thing to do
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me my love
And I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I left you heartbroken, but not until those very words were spoken
Has anybody ever made such a fool out of you
It's hard to believe it
Even as my eyes do see it
The very things that make you live are killing you
Listen when
all of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me my love
I will shelter you
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey you will shelter me my love
I will shelter you
If you shelter me too
I will shelter you
I will shelter you