The Museum of Music in Brussels

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

As spring is leaving,

The weight of the biwa grows

Too heavy for my ears.

~ Buson [Englished by Phillip Whidden]

(The biwa, a Japanese musical instrument, is visually

beautiful but does not make beautiful sounds.)

A violin by G. Amati shows

It silent beauty in a glass case scene.

The Ruckers Harpsichords in seemly rows

Are silent in their beauty, too, as clean

As loveliness can be.  Some zithers zinged

With decorations bring more graces to

The eyes.  Viola da gambas, though stringed,

Are eloquently silent.  They are true

To visual perfection with their sweeps

Of inlaid ornaments.  Guitars and lutes

Continue harmonies in silent leaps

Across their bodies’ wooden attributes.

  Though music heard is sweet, let that unheard

    Be sweeter.  Viewing hearts are deeply stirred.

© Phillip Whidden