Ferocity reduced to fingerings,
But large as art, erupts as Lisztian storms
Upon the quietness of waiting long.
Hear rhythmic hamm'rings of a mortal lord
To gain the halls of high, immortal kings!
See glintings of a fractured star in forms
Of ice and fire make soaring arcs of song!
With timbres beautiful as brutal sword
Or brittle rain ring loud the trembling strings.
Made vigilant, my heart to courage warms
When all the terrors on the brink of wrong
Are gathered in one flashing, thund'ring chord.
But tempest cannot hold the world of men.
Soon peace returns, and then we wait again.
2004
