O Say, Can You See

I was sitting in my backyard when I heard the voice of a tiny child singing The Star-Spangled Banner. Perfect tone and nearly perfect pitch, all from this baby voice, certainly no older than three or four years old.

And the rockets red glare!

The bombs bursting in air!

She even opted for the impressive bonus fourth-interval, “o’er the land of the free-*eeeee…*”

I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her. She was pacing herself with delivery and poise, giving each phrase its moment. I wanted to get my phone and document the moment, but I knew this moment was of the fleeting and golden variety. I held perfectly still, listening to this songbird.

Who is this prodigy the backyard adjacent to mine?

When she finished, “and the home of the brave,” I did not applaud. I did not shout, “Play ball!” I held my breath and hoped she was a child who begins again right where she left off. Sing again, songbird, I willed her.

Then I heard the voice of a much older child, probably twelve. She said, “That was fun. I hit all the notes.”

She had been breathing, releasing, and singing the helium out of a mylar balloon.

Maybe I won’t reach out to America’s Got Talent just yet.