Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

---

many aches [subtitles in closed captions; full poem in the description below]

Composer: Paul Novak
Poet: Parker Scheu
Performers: Hailey Cohen, mezzo-soprano; Florence Mak, piano

Commissioned by Lynx Project for the 2022-2023 Amplify Series.
Presented by Classical Music Chicago for the Rush Hour Concerts series
Recorded live at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, IL.

If you are interested in performing this work, please contact Paul Novak at paulnovakmusic.com

lynxproject.org

"Reality"

Waves of light beam within
The sound of water dripping
I am here; content
Melting into my bed
Swallow me whole
Water dripping
Light waves beaming
Peace
Let me go
I’m suffocating
It’s too loud
I don’t want to get wet
My lamp is too bright
My front tooth aches
The hairs on my right arm sting
I taste strawberries
I'm stuck
This is agony
My senses deceive me
I just want peace.

- Parker Scheu