A Valediction to Breath

Inspired by Shostakovich's Prelude and Fugue No. 4 in E minor (Andante)

My ostensible grimace cries tearlessly,

Painting severe fatigue over this smiling canvas.

Then every visage of passing portraits

Is anointed by a similar brush stroke,

Dressing high cheek bones and dimples

 

In grievous widow’s weeds.

My palette surreptitiously exchanges

Color for solemn notes and chords -

An uncertain, hesitant mass for Enoch,

 

A murmuring prelude to please

The dissonantly regular quietude.

My mouth is still.

 

Your organ announces with an aeoline stop;

The vox humana echoes from these cold lips

 

As my posthumous whisper.