Observations on the 9th

by Marc Mangel

Observations on the Ninth

 

For being born of syphillis Beethoven made the most

of life, even if he never got past

ten

yet nine is three threes

and three are the father and sun and ghost

or the sexual parts

 

perhaps beethoven saw his mind

but maybe not

yet he always realized the joy

of peace of mind

and the peace of mind of music

 

and though he died deaf

in heaven Beethoven hears

what is only thought

and is thus a whisp of air

truly the deaf can hear what

most can

not

 

So Beethoven rest as his music can not

for man is not music nor music

man

yet all this without reaching

ten

 

August 1972