Midnight Cadences: A Collection of Intimate Poems

By Mary Dustman Mousavi

Midnight Cadence is an 11-part literary suite; a compelling, symphonic journey of the notes and chords of a soul, presented as musical analogy. These cadences are "sung" in the changing modulation and inflection of a poet's voice over a lifetime. The Movements (or chapters) include the following progression throughout the suite, as it journeys to the end.
Beginning with Motif, which is the musical idea around which a composition is developed, it includes overarching themes of isolation; pain; alienation; loneliness; love; and hopefully, a budding wisdom. Second, Dissonance, which describes qualities of disagreement and restlessness, explores sleeplessness; feelings of invisibility; strain; sanity; rumination; bitterness; resentment; fatigue; and yet, glimmers of hope. Next, enters the Melody, in a succession of single musical tones: It touches on the dreamworld; school-girl crushes; the search for human connection; elation and exuberance; disillusionment; bruised innocence; brokenness; relationships as puzzling puzzles; unrequited first loves; sadness; questions of self-worth; lack of fulfillment; feelings of abandonment; hollowness; the dangers of dark beauty; struggles with confusion; spirituality; the imagining of fantastical creatures; love as the most precious of gifts; and, the realization that optimism is possible because of life's changing seasons. Reprise, which is a repeated musical passage, returns to feelings of gravity; having no regrets at expressing vulnerability; and, resignation at the agonizingly slow process of healing. Followed by the Elegy, a sad, mournful piece that transitions from seismic emotions; mourning tributes; enemies and injuries; and, betrayal; to ultimately, an acceptance of others' dual and false identities. In transition, the Bridge transports us from one place to another through storied journeys, leading to forgiveness and hope; optimism; and, moments of genuine happiness. Thus, Vivace blooms forth in a brisk, lively manner of dynamic contrast; an energetic performance full of spirit, wishes, and naivete', as well as a celebration of friendship, dreamscapes, and whimsy. Turning gently, Pianissimo is not just very soft; it's also quieter, sprinkled with the delicate magic, musical sounds, and perfume of nighttime; the soft tissue of sisterhood; and, the drifting sleep of mermaids. On approach to the ending, Decrescendo a Fine is the distance from loudness to quietude, here lies the metamorphosis that is death of the old-self versus re-birth of a new-self. This is a journey through moments of self-doubt; anchorless-ness; adjustment to the harsh realities of adulthood; fear of the unknown; apprehensiveness over the future; reckoning with anger; reflection; introspection; but ultimately, comes the relief of self-realization and long-awaited, even spiritual enlightenment (Codetta)

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350940992

Mary Dustman Mousavi

Since childhood, Mary has had a passion for writing and poetry. She has been creating and compiling a body of work for over 40 years. Mary is also a wife, proud mother of 4, and a parent-focused Lifecoach. Her degrees are in Psychology, Child Development, and Legal Studies. Currently, Mary is a Contributing Writer for the Scottsdale Moms Blog branch of the nationwide organization, the Mom Collective.

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Author Disclaimer and Rights

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright ©2024 by Mary E. Dustman Mousavi, author. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information or permission to use any part of this book, please address your request to the author via the publisher.

ISBN: 979-8-35-094099-2

DEDICATION

For my 4 daughters, Acacia, Lauryl, Sophia, and Nazanin, to whom I gift this body of work as my legacy. May you now know me as a more complete person…. I was once a child too ‐ a daughter, too; then too, a young girl; then also, an angsty teenager; then like you, a young woman searching; then, a new woman, establishing herself; then, a grown Woman, adulting; then a Mother, so‐in‐Love with all of You; now, a maturing woman, cataloging the first half lived and accumulating more life experience. I hope you’ll get to know Me.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Midnight Cadence

Motif

Crushed Velvet*

Silencing

The Star and the Scar

The Retreat

The Retreat*

Love’s Ex-Patriot

Isolation

The Decadence of Love

Still

Dissonance

The Endless Midnights

The Poetry Lesson #2

Asylum of the Flowers

Soul Ghetto

Broken Lines

Toy Box

Vicious Nature

Haunted Alleyways

Fatigue

Saving the Pennies

Melody

Art of the Dreamer

Yo No Quiero Olvidar*

I Don’t Want to Forget*

Green Daydream

Lover’s Notion

Sunshine of My Soul

Fool’s Gold Highway

The Broken Pieces

The Broken Pieces

Pain and the Prince

Iced Castle

Lonely is the Echo

Coals of Youth

Lost at Sea

The Four Seasons

The White Glove

Unicorn

Faberge’ Egg

Winter Garden

Seafarer

Spring Key

Reprise

Gravity

No Regrets

Carousel

Elegy

Seismic

Ode: The Door*

In the Jaws of the Lioness

Heart Full of Daggers

Quiet*

Ghost

Sleepless Echoes

Bridge

Unworthy

A Kind of Forgiveness

Angel’s Liar

Venus Lost

Father Time

Daydreams

Quest

Senior

Snowed In

The Poetry Lesson #1

The Tides

Theatre

Blossom

Storm of the Mind

Satin Snow

Vivace

Pennies

Blue Lightning

Naiveté

Winds of Contrast

She Flies

Friend and Flower

Dreamscape Abyss

Beachcomber

Seashell

Pianissimo

Soft

Midnight Serenade

Tissue Paper

Where the Mermaid Sleeps

Mediterranean Bluesy

Debra

Shiloh: A Whisper from Nature

Decrescendo

Vice

Prisms of Yesterday

The Snake-Eyes of Summer

The Young Heart

Nightmare Requiem

Anchorless

Chasm

Fine

Dream