The Music Vanished

Look toward the water!
Do you see the flute, piano, and violin
hanging in the air
a foot above the surface
reflecting the light
casting images
one above and one below
the lake's icy mirror?

Listen to the sound
crafted so carefully
flute blowing magic
piano ringing clear bells
violin articulating a wistful tune
skillfully, flawlessly
in splendid harmony
rising
       in perfect unison

But wait!
The flute has lost its magic
sound like a tuba
The piano has lost its ring
crashes like cymbals
The violin's mournful melody persists
         oblivious to change

The breach widens
the instruments descend
breaking the mirror's surface
continuing down
flute blowing up bubbles
piano keys freezing
violin strings snapping under sudden weight
continuing down
mirror image fading
diving down
        into the silence of the deep.

Stay!
There, darting up from the far horizon
guided by the sinking sun
come the fireflies, their
reflections flashing
back from the still water
where the music vanished.