Below is the poem which inspired this beautiful cello composition
The Sweetness of Paris
If a honeybee gave a tour flying south
she might stop to admire
Place de la Concorde, streets full of dreams
the River Seine, Notre-Dame’s spires.
In contrast to crumbling gargoyles
our urban bee thrives.
She might wind up
at the flower, plant-rich
honeybee haven
of Luxembourg Gardens.
She’d continue on that flight
for herself and our life too.
We’re captivated by observing her
over the roof garden of Le Cordon Bleu
cookery school the Mandarin Oriental Hotel,
École Militaire, the Opera Garnier.
For the cities honey-lovers
untainted by pesticides
she captures purity in a city park, a garden,
on home terraces or roofs to make her gold.
She might end up where
Monsieur Passard and his wife
foster bees on a balcony, which itself is a hive
in the heart of a concrete apartment complex
that still alludes to the possibility
to a sweeter existence.
Martin Johns
The poem is included in the pamphlet Resting Place, published in 2019 by
Palewell Press.
How this composition came to be
The sweetness of Paris
When author Martin Johns read his poem ‘The sweetness of Paris’, I just knew this poem was going to inspire some beautiful music. It was fate for this poem to make its ingress into my life. But how did it know that I am utterly fascinated by all things honeybee-related? I’ve been to honey festivals! That’s interest at a whole other level!
But beehives on balconies and the rooftops of houses? In Paris of all places? I admit. I didn’t know about that.
‘The sweetness of Paris’ is one of the poems in Resting Place, a poetry pamphlet by Martin Johns and published by Palewell Press.
There is some magic in poems, I think. Just a few lines and we are teleported to a different place. Just a few lines and we hear and smell something other than what’s around us now. Our imagination may be natural, but it is still mysterious, magical.
And teleported you’ll be when reading the poem, ‘The sweetness of Paris.’ And see from the rooftops of houses you shall.
I was right. This poem inspired me to write beautiful music. Ethereal and sunny. Coaxing your heart like the honeybees to dance.
A few kind words from my listeners
“You are truly amazing and could listen to you forever. Thank you. ”
— H.W. from Brackley, Northamptonshire
“This is the most beautiful music I have ever heard and enjoyed.”
— R.B. from Towcester, Northamptonshire
If you are an artist and the music I've composed inspires you to draw beautiful art- share it with me.
Perhaps you are an author or a dancer. If this cello piece moves you to create- let me know.
I'd love to hear from you.