Recite

A commanding forte resounds

From the open maw of the baby grand

Yanking me back into the room

From which I had departed

In meandering contemplation of my place in the book

The end of a chapter?

No

It was over long ago

Alert now, I count the measures

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8…9

Repeat, with new colours

Flowing from the harmonies beneath

A little darker, a little minor

A little complexity and confusion

That could be a metaphor if it pleases you

I would certainly like to be pleased

The symbol fits the frame now

It was over long ago

I offer my arm once more

I know you won’t come

I don’t expect a thing

It seems I think of you too much

Is it enough?

Perhaps

The canvas was cleaner when last I saw you

Not so long ago

A flame rekindled?

No

We were never more than embers

And it was over long ago

How easy it is to ignore the ugly, expensive echo chamber

And revel in the rolling ripples of magnified music

Waldstein?

No

That was over long ago

Lurching forward I must go

It was over long ago

Ever to and never fro

It was over long ago

It was over long ago

Long ago

Go