A single note vibrates into being

and extends a hand to the shape huddled on the ground,

its soul corseted together with chipped, burnished words handled over and over again

and frayed strands of strength

that pressure is slowly peeling apart

as the escort on the singular path to oblivion

But the note has come armed with a batallion of melodies, clefts, and arpeggios

that swipe and hack away this crushing sense of hopelessness

(if only for four minutes at a time)

They gently pull the shivering mass to its feet

It lifts its head

and dares a few shaky footfalls

before tentatively walking forward,

occasionally glancing back at the mellifluous crew trailng along,

with a smile.