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Nannerl on her Brother Leaving for Vienna


Why should we worry about Wolfgang?
He will thrive in Vienna
like an earwig among meadows
of summer berries.

Oh, Papa, adrift
in this provincial dusk
of Salzburg, there is now
only us.

Vienna and Paris are as far
away as the tip of Africa...
the archbishop will never
permit you to tour again,

and what am I to do?
Teach piano forever to students
their fingers hesitant, blundering
through keys
the way a blind man
navigates a new room
filled with junk?

You once called me one of Europe's
finest musicians. And now you waive me off,
as if the trade off
of playing music with professionals

for marriage
is something any sane woman
would be grateful for.

I burst into loud cries,
like a songbird left behind
by her flock in a wood
of bare branches.

thank you

Hi Bob,

another engaging persona poem bringing to life another episode from the history of creative lives


lineage and other minor workshop-share -- Michael (MV)


Why should we worry about Wolfgang?
He will thrive in Vienna
like an earwig among meadows of summer berries.

Oh, Papa,
there is only us now
adrift in Salzburg's
provincial dusk

Vienna and Paris, as far
away as the tip of Africa...
the archbishop will never
permit you to tour again,

and what am I to do?
Teach piano forever to students
their fingers hesitant, blundering
through keys the way
a blind man negotiates
a new room filled with junk?

^^ negotiates or navigates through

You once called me
one of Europe's finest
musicians. And now you waive me off,
as if the trade off of playing

music with professionals for marriage
is something any sane woman
would be grateful for.

I burst into loud cries,
like a songbird left behind
by her flock in a wood
of bare branches.

Hi Michael, I like your suggestion of “navigates”. Thanks