On Saturday night, Sept. 14, 2019 I saw Brandi Carlile (with opener Mavis Staples !) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was a HUGE DEAL as it was Carlile’s first time headlining at this historic venue. What a year she’s having! I love ALL OF IT.

The show has been reviewed several times by several people and several media outlets. I’ve read some of these reviews and they’re fantastic. Look ’em up and have at it.

So what can I say about the show that hasn’t already said?

I decided to venture into uncharted waters and share my thoughts about the show in POEM FORM. And so. Here it is.

The Garden
By Aimsel L. Ponti

On Saturday night I witnessed a supernova in human form
I sat -and stood- among thousands
Together we sang
Together we cheered
Together we celebrated

On Saturday night I saw an epiphany in human form
I sat among thousands
We heard guitars and strings and bass
We heard drums and piano and a horn
We heard a voice from another planet

On Saturday night I experienced a miracle in human form
I sat among thousands
We listened as gratitude was expressed in unprecedented ways
We saw tears wiped away, some of them our own
We took the songs into our hearts, where they’ll stay forever

On Saturday night I understood transcendence in human form
I sat among thousands
We beheld a band at their zenith
We experienced music stripped to its core
We felt our hearts get catapulted up to the hallowed rafters

On Saturday night I realized the magnitude of music in human form
I sat among thousands
We were rapturous during a Joni song
We were beside ourselves with Mavis
We lost our minds with Amanda and Natalie

On Saturday night I saw a show at Madison Square Garden
I sat among thousands
I was awestruck and overwhelmed
I was ripped apart and reassembled
I was thankful, so very thankful for Brandi Carlile