Keith Waldrop
from The Not Forever

 

 
another will - ii
 
 


I asked what he
meant, doubtful this
long digression
the ear ultimate
judge


a melody somewhat empty, start
soft become louder
the mountain's other side
slides, quick beaten
trill—what scheme is this


my ear tells un-
equal steps, half
steps, knows
no authority too
many questions


through all the steps no
sign
means of
performing I
think


tone too foreign, there will be
other evenings—the voice
flows without inter-
ruption all our secrets the
requisite intervals


value of
things
removed—used to, as in a
game of cards
leaps


within the scale
ascending, the drawing room
unexpectedly empty and de-
scending, by what art and what
degrees