Pendulum

Poet/Lyricist: 

Amanda Harter and Christopher Behrens

In 2001, the ensemble Vox Femina Los Angeles produced Celebrating Women, Celebrating Our Diversity. This concert utilized poems chosen by VFLA’s Artistic Director, Dr. Iris Levine, from LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Los Angeles youth describing their personal experiences and journeys. Joan Szymko was one of three composers VFLA commissioned to set these poems to music utilizing 3 distinct styles. It was entitled “The Tolerance Project,” and all three commissions were premiered in June 2002.

Contact the composer for a perusal score.

Level: 

Moderate
Item Voicing/Instrumentation Duration Price Audio View Score
N/A

Text

Pendulum

I,  I want, I want to—I want to tell you something.
I,  I want, I want to—I'm going to tell you something.

I'm going to practice my speech for you in front of the mirror:
"Are you like me, a pendulum swings both ways?"

That's what I'm going to say when I see you.

"Are you like me?"

That's what I'm going to say when I see you.

I realized—I realized something about myself, about you;

I'm a bit different than some of our other friends.

Right now I'm hoping you are too.

I realized years ago that I don't just like guys.

And what I noticed months ago is that

you are really nice and sweet.
So I'm asking—I'm asking you, I'm asking you now if you're like me,
a pendulum swings both ways.

Are you like me?

Why I'm drawn to you I cannot say.

You dance in the corner of my eye,

in my dreams we touch souls,

and become an unbreakable one.

So I'm asking, I'm asking you—so I'm asking, I'm asking.
I'm asking you now:

Are you like me, a pendulum swings both ways?
Are you like me?

I, I want, I want to—I want to tell you something.

I want, I want to
—I want you.

Reviews: 

"'Pendulum' emerged as the best of the Tolerance Project's five selections, a triumph of creative writing for Joan Szymko." — BEVERLY HILLS OUTLOOK

Subscribe to E-news

.