A Pianist's Farewell Upon Entering the Cloister
I never thought to leave you, friend,
Who were the very breath of me,
My working day, my restless night,
The steersman of my destiny.
I made a solemn vow to you—
Or was it you to me? Who knows?
It was so long a life ago
And thieving time too rapid goes.
Was ever there a day, an hour,
That was not colored by your voice?
You snatched me from the womb, I think,
Purloined from me all will and choice…
Ah, no, I tease you, dearest friend!
To you I may so freely speak,
For you have known my deepest deep
And bore me up to heaven's peak.
With you, I soared beyond my self;
Upon your keys I knew no fear
Of man, or dreams, or my own heart—
My aim was true, my vision clear.
Through you I gave my laughter words,
Through you I let my sorrow weep,
To you I told my greatest love,
And in you, let my secret sleep.
You were my solace and my strength,
My wise and faithful confidant.
Though now I live without your voice,
My memory its echoes haunt.
It must be so. If God wills we
Should meet again—I cannot tell.
I loved you, heart and soul and mind,
O truest, dearest friend. Farewell.
I never thought to leave you, friend,
Who were the very breath of me,
My working day, my restless night,
The steersman of my destiny.
I made a solemn vow to you—
Or was it you to me? Who knows?
It was so long a life ago
And thieving time too rapid goes.
Was ever there a day, an hour,
That was not colored by your voice?
You snatched me from the womb, I think,
Purloined from me all will and choice…
Ah, no, I tease you, dearest friend!
To you I may so freely speak,
For you have known my deepest deep
And bore me up to heaven's peak.
With you, I soared beyond my self;
Upon your keys I knew no fear
Of man, or dreams, or my own heart—
My aim was true, my vision clear.
Through you I gave my laughter words,
Through you I let my sorrow weep,
To you I told my greatest love,
And in you, let my secret sleep.
You were my solace and my strength,
My wise and faithful confidant.
Though now I live without your voice,
My memory its echoes haunt.
It must be so. If God wills we
Should meet again—I cannot tell.
I loved you, heart and soul and mind,
O truest, dearest friend. Farewell.