NOTES ON “LOW”

        After David Bowie and Brian Eno and Philip Glass

The melody turns in on itself with descending notes

Ascending

Descending

Turning back and forward

To seesaw percussion

The piano scales into itself with ascending notes

Ascending

Descending

Turning around

To meet the trumpets heading the other way

Five notes

Back and forth the same five notes

Fast and slow the same five notes

Then the trumpets turn in on themselves descending

Ascending

Descending

Turning back and forth with the same fingering

Like a balloon caught in a cross breeze

And turn

And turn

And turn

And turn

To show all sides

To see all the pieces

Then the picture is done