SOLO FOR VIOLA DAVIS

anyone who’s played

will tell you

no one writes parts

for the viola

the intonation

the voicing

when played altogether

is too alto

to hear

not meant for solo

not meant for standout

like the violet

of the orchestra

beautiful end of

the spectrum

between indigo and the

invisible ultra

but got a shine to it

like the brass

always trying

to blow it out

trying to swallow it

in lightning flash

but see

the viola

got thunderweight

requires strong chin

and back unbreakable

requires whole body

to make sound

to make something

ugly and pretty

in we clef

and anyone who’s played

will tell you

the viola

just be too much for most

can’t be plucked

or bowed

as easily

made different

got a thicker kind

of string attached