Beethoven's Embrace
Ludwig stands by the sink shaving
as I step through his door.
He throws his arms around me, his lather
soaping my left cheek.
"My dear friend," he laughs, "you look
better than ever."
What, did I have both cheeks lathered
the last time we embraced?
He looks like a rag picker in summer.
Does he sleep in his clothes?
"There's a young woman," he whispers,
"I would like you to introduce me to."
"Maybe I can play something
for her," he adds. He gets down on his knees,
fumbling through dirty papers
strewn about the floor.
You are still intent on marrying?
I ask as Ludwig stands, wobbly,
clutching his music sheets.
He wipes his left hand on his coat,
smearing it, and with his right offers me
his latest sonata. "Will she like it?" he asks.
Like it? I ask. You will leave
an unforgettable impression.
"Ah," he says, "I can't wait
to embrace her."
Beethoven's Embrace
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- Posts: 1983
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
Re: Beethoven's Embrace
Welcome to the forum Bob, nice to see you posting.
I have been here 7 years.
I rarely posted in the beginning, not am a bit more fecund.
To be frank, and being Frank I don't quite to make of this poem Bob.
It seems comical and somewhat tongue -in-cheek as if daring us to say something silly.
I did read that he was always in love, but with different women for most of his life and that
he could be very scruffy at times and dressed immaculately at other times.
Moonlight sonata did come out of his obsession with the opposite gender.
Overall I feel it lacks impact Bob.
I think you need to say something stronger Bob, either hate him or love him, this is too tepid if you don't mind me saying. You don't mention his deafness.
I have been here 7 years.
I rarely posted in the beginning, not am a bit more fecund.
To be frank, and being Frank I don't quite to make of this poem Bob.
It seems comical and somewhat tongue -in-cheek as if daring us to say something silly.
I did read that he was always in love, but with different women for most of his life and that
he could be very scruffy at times and dressed immaculately at other times.
Moonlight sonata did come out of his obsession with the opposite gender.
Overall I feel it lacks impact Bob.
I think you need to say something stronger Bob, either hate him or love him, this is too tepid if you don't mind me saying. You don't mention his deafness.
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- Posts: 2154
- Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57
Re: Beethoven's Embrace
Hi Bob,
(Please share some of your comment/workshop on the poems of others.
From the poems you have posted that I have read,
I speculate that you are able to share with fellow-poets here insightful constructive comments in the communal service of workshopping.
Thanks, Bob.
Also, Bob, I speculate that one of your poems might possibly represent for the Writer's block this upcoming July IBPC; therefore
to familiarize to the process/procedure, here is the link to the monthly thread Upcoming July IBPC 2016 at Palaver: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6306
Thanks, Bob)
Re: Beethoven's Embrace
formally reminds me of a dialogue of persona poem with Browning monologue
embraced with music -
the sistine touch - the beethoven embrace
I thought the setting/scenario was subtly symbolic - like in an opera/commedia dell'arte (soap-opera
music emerges from a mess
make music
not a mess
music cleans up the mess
cleanliness is next to godliness
"To love another person is to see the face of God" -- Victor Hugo
Michael (MV)
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- Posts: 2683
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: Beethoven's Embrace
Thanks, Michael.
You're right. I have been amiss in commenting on others' poems. I will do better.
Thank you for your generous comments on 'Beethoven's Embrace'. Browning was a favorite of mine in college, and I still admire his work immensely.
I have read the guidelines.
You're right. I have been amiss in commenting on others' poems. I will do better.
Thank you for your generous comments on 'Beethoven's Embrace'. Browning was a favorite of mine in college, and I still admire his work immensely.
I have read the guidelines.