Nicht Bach, sondern Meer. (Not a brook, rather a sea.)
-- Ludwig von Beethoven


Great Bach! Thou art indeed a mighty sea!
A sea of Life! A sea of firm Belief!
We, who dwell along thy shores and draw
Our sustenance out thy immensity

Of feeling; who, when doubt and sorrow weigh
Upon our souls, when mounting hours of grief
Assail us, bathe in thy wondrous waters, and restore
To health our shattered spirits; who survey

With awe thy depths of Harmony, thy moods,
Thy power over Form, thy wealth, and fame,
And beauty -- we, who honor Beauty, too,
But know her favor rarely, turn these few
Unartful words to praise, in Honor’s name,
Thy world, in which no continent of pain intrudes.

Copyright (2006) by Arnold Cantor.
All rights reserved.

[Written 1958.]