So many years before my birth
Beethoven wrote the score
of my internal landscape.
His music opens doors
to wind-tossed trees and
fervent heady breathing of the day
the seething susurrus of grasses
and the pulsing of the light
and the fragrance of the air
and the insects’ humming flight —
How did he know?
His music walks
with sure and practiced steps
along the pathways of my hopes
my efforts and my struggles
through the darkness
to the ever unsuppressed
returning dawning of my joy
and the centered peace
that is my home—
His genius for me is not that he
heard something no one else could hear
but that he wrote so truly
what is mine.
©Wendy Mulhern
January 18, 2012
(Background music: Beethoven’s 6th Symphony)
Wendy, this is so real for me not only because I have always loved Beethoven's music for so many years, but also because just recently I watched the film “Immortal Beloved” with Gary Oldman in the title role. I think Beethoven had the idea of the music bursting from him and it caused him to endure pain, be misunderstood, and ultimately create some of the most exquisite and beautiful and compelling music ever written. Your poem reflects that, and for me, since I have just seen this piece of a story about his life, it reflects what I have experienced by watching the movie, and reminds me of all the joy I have gained over the years by listening to Beethoven's music.
Thanks for sharing! I hadn't heard of the film – will have to look into it.
Wendy, thank you for sharing this! I like it. Beethoven's music will always be, for me, one of those things above most other things, and I will never tire of it.