Jonathan didn’t sing his hymns in church. He sang them in sweaty sneakers on cracked cement.

Rhythm

An even, measured cadence to begin. A simple meter accenting every other footstep: left, left right, left. His heart conductor presiding over a steady beat synced to well-timed breaths. Pulse, in, pulse, release, and again.

Form

The composition’s structure was an exploration of contrast and connection, unity and variety. Smooth at first, an easy downhill, a verse of downtown, then rising action: passages joining to create dramatic developmental motifs. The movements were always taking him towards the hill, the shape that defined the entire arrangement.

Harmony

Starting to climb, his chord progressions slipped into a dissonant interval. Tension prepared, left unresolved, an asynchronous pitch giving way to desperation as he rose, rose, aching for resolution through consonant chords.

Expression

Step, breath, heartbeat amplified, a lengthy crescendo in largo… lento… adagio… andante. moderato. allegretto. allegro, presto, prestissimo! And forte forte forte, a climax so powerful it washed over him, he worshipped the silent symphony which possessed him, moved him up, up, up.

Melody

At long last, a soft melodic movement, pink in color, a reflective motif. It sang him sweetly home, then quietly went to sleep itself, his hymn composed and salty baptism concluded.