Commissioned by National Concerts for its Carnegie Hall premiere April 5, 2022, Jeffery Redding, conductor

You are powerful,
More powerful than you know.
You may think you stand in darkness,
But you are surrounded by the light.

The veil that blinds,
The bonds that bind you
Are only loosely gathered,
And freedom is but a choice away.

Cast aside these bonds,
And find a strength you never knew,
Swords enough for any battle,
Strength enough for any journey.

The waters of life
Flow from inside you.
You are clothed in fire.

And when the Universe gazes out
Upon her many wonders,
She sees through your eyes.