Voice Teacher’s Heartache

by Kaci Rigney, posted in Poems, Lyrics, & Music

Sing.
I can’t.
Please explain.
Damaged my voice.
How did you do that?
Screaming at a concert.
I cringed. Not good. So, nodules.
The scope of my cords showed scarring.
So, what happens when you try to sing?
Pain. My vocal cords are thrashed; gravelly.
Nodules? Complete vocal rest recommended?
Three months. I may never sing again. Tears threatened.
“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice.”

Kaci Rigney Copyright 2026

“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice.” Opening line from John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany.

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8 thoughts on “Voice Teacher’s Heartache”

  1. Interesting reading Kaci. I lost my voice for a day or two about six months ago, and not for any apparent reason that could be identified.

    In my youth I was a vocalist (not a singer!) in a band but I don’t think I did it enough to mess up my vocal cords. I have spent many years at smoky concerts and having to shout to be heard though, and that was definitely worse.

    Nicely written 👏

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. As a lifetime singer and former voice teacher, I refrain from screaming or forcing as much as possible. My vocal cords have had their share of heartache though. I try to keep my instrument sacred.
      Hope yours does well. 😊
      Thanks for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Li,
      The screaming part is fictional. But, I did have three months of vocal rest and voice therapy.
      The second time with the allergic reaction ended up causing almost two years of difficulty with only a few moments of good voice. Still working on regaining better vocals.
      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I went through something like this in college as a voice student. I switched places and wrote this as the voice teacher, which was my profession for many years.
      I had another scare during the COVID shutdown, which involved an allergic reaction to my vocal cords. I’m better now, but my voice never fully recovered.

      Liked by 1 person

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