“Penelope to Odysseus” for Tenor and Piano (2006)

dur. 5 minutes

For Derek Chester

Lyrics: Ivanna Yi

Premiere: April 20, 2006 as part of the New Vocal Works Recital at the Bethseda Lutheran Church. Derek Chester, tenor; Trevor Gureckis, piano.

Penelope to Odysseus
Ivanna Yi

What secrets I have I do not keep from you,
my confidant. Because you do not hear me
as I speak, I trust you as I trust no other.

In your absence I trained my voice
not to betray me: my thoughts were silent,
mute on paper, beyond reproach.

Now you are here, I curse my own heart
for wanting you even as you sleep
beside me, peaceful as you always are
when you desert me for the night.

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©2006 Emerging Properties Music