A confident crack of the knuckle
and a flick of the wrist begin the ebb and flow
of a piece made long ago.
Duple on triples create a rhythm in which the
ear is not accustomed. The mounting dissonance
and modulations crescendo to sequences that are always running
and running, and never do they stop.
Heart is pounding. Ears are yearning
for what is yet to come.
Resolution to “A” brings little comfort when diatonic tones
lose track of their intended route. The melody’s gone awry
but only Frederic knows why. Sweetly, like a lover’s caress,
the tide begins to slow into an easy ebb and flow.
The droplet of sweat on his brow glistens
as he stalls. The heart beat is calmed by sweet relief;
the nocturne is over, and the pianist is at peace.