Aug 2012
there was once “a simple desultory philippic”
witty words put to music by men of another age
but now only lanky lyrics on a soundless page
that which hath power to soothe the savage breast
has long ago been mournfully put to rest
by a cursed plague visited upon my ear
that purloined much I rightfully revere
so for those who can still hear sweet melody
do not forget to bow down thankfully
for the syncopated sounds that still delight
and other treasures beyond our sight
witty words put to music by men of another age
but now only lanky lyrics on a soundless page
that which hath power to soothe the savage breast
has long ago been mournfully put to rest
by a cursed plague visited upon my ear
that purloined much I rightfully revere
so for those who can still hear sweet melody
do not forget to bow down thankfully
for the syncopated sounds that still delight
and other treasures beyond our sight
Years ago, I permanently lost most of my hearing in both ears because of some weird malady. With a hearing aids, I do well with speech, but music has sounded bad to me for many years. This may be the only poem I have written lamenting the loss of the gift of music.
