To You, Ludwig (3/17/88)

Out of the twilight of classicism,
An age dominated by Haydn,
Realizing its apotheosis in the pure
And shimmering vision of Mozart,
You erupted like some great volcano,
And with a few violent shudders,
Altered the musical landscape forever
Setting the night sky ablaze with
Colors and shapes no mortal eye
Had ever seen. You dragged us
Kicking and screaming into this
Blinding light of self-revelation,
From which there has been no
Turning back, saying "Look at me!
With every ounce of my being, until
I draw my final breath, I will live,
And I will struggle against all
The pain, sorrow, and injustice
That life heaps upon me. I will
Transform my suffering into the most
Fierce and heavenly song that
Mankind has ever heard and this
Shall be my salvation."
Out of a lifetime of hardships
And bitter disappointments
You wrung a triumphant song
Of mans' phoenix-like ascension
From the ashes of despair and destruction
To claim his birthright as divine creator
In the image of his maker.