FOUR LAST SONGS - RICHARD STRAUSS

Memories of a broken relationship, ended for ever, come back briefly to cause pain. This piece of music held a special place.

How is it words and music

can encapsulate

in the rise and fall of sound

a whole lifetime

brought out of the past

for me to remember

in flowing tears?

I know

I should not regret

nor wish for aught

save what I now have.

But I cannot forget,

listening to the grief and sorrow

of an old man,

and feel them as my own.

Yesterday the connection

was severed for all time

with a short handshake.

I have already gone

through the iron door

of no returning.