WHO WILL HELP ME WITH MY SPARK? From 1997. The words just came back into my head. Now you can be part of this. Thurs, Jan 25, 3 pm EST.

Words came to mind a week ago. Later they kept being in my head, over and over.

Who will help me with my spark?
Whom can I help make their mark?
Who will help me build this ark?
Whom can I help get through their dark?

I did a search, came to the full piece. The date I wrote it: November 8, 1997. I’d also put it online. That was in in 2011.

And now, the next step. A recording. Many voices. Different voices speaking different lines.

If you’d like to take part, please email: elsaiselsa@substack.com and I’ll send you the link for the meeting.

The first meeting: Thurs, Jan 25, 3 pm EST.

A lot has changed since then. Then: I had very few connections. Now I have far more. But there is still that deep desire for more connection.

Here are the words as they came.

WHO WILL HELP ME?

When Dorothy landed in the land of Oz
she needed a lot of help because
she was a long long way from home
and could never make it back alone

Who will help me with my spark?
Who wants to build a brand new ark?
Who will help me light the dark?

                        I cannot do it alone

Who also has a struggling spark?
Who also struggles with an ark?
Who needs help with their own dark?

                        We cannot do it alone

Dorothy met three new friends
Headless, heartless, spineless -- seeking
Each had much to gain
Together they each reached completion

Who will help me light the dark?
Whose spark will meet my spark?
Who wants to help build an ark?

                        to float to a new land
                       to reach where we belong
                        We need an ark that's safe and strong

Who will help me build this ark?
Who will help me flame this spark?
Who will sail long after dark?

                        The water's rising
                        I cannot complete it alone

I have timber   I have nails
I give up without sails
Help me if you care to sail
If you want to build this ark

                        light and dark
                        dark and light

Dorothy left her new-found friends
Each with what they'd aimed to gain
I don't want to leave the ark
I want to keep us close, not apart
But that's far   far    far

For now
Who will help me with my spark?
Whose light meets mine in the dark?
Who longs to build with me an ark?

                        to sail far into the world

Elsa Schieder
November 8, 1997

You can see the piece online:
https://elsas-word-story-image-idea-music-emporium.com/i-need-help-lyrics.html

And then, if you’d like to take part, please email: elsaiselsa@substack.com and I’ll send you the link for the meeting.

Posted January 23, 2024