Hydrangea (2025)

commissioned by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Cincinnati Song Initiative,
with major support from Lori Laitman

Text by Miho Kinnas

I wanted to love you
without regrets, without sorrow.
Flowers will return,
its color deep blue
but you are not here anymore
I didn't know your kindness
until hydrangea swayed in the rain.

A fallen umbrella.
Red lights flashed in the rain.
It's too late now,
too dark
hydrangea swayed.
I wondered how many rains have passed.

I wanted to love you
without regrets, without sorrow.
Flowers return.
Seasons turn.

Performance history:

6/2025: Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Song Initiative
Kaylyn Taylor, soprano
Mary Nerren, piano