Mendelssohn without the Strains of Music
How plain and stultified is music on
The printed page, but stiff black staves and straight
Blocked measures have a graceful antiphon
Of phrase marks and of oval notes. Collate
These with the treble clef and bass clef to
Obtain some slight relief, and still a starched
Staid strictness overwhelms the whole. A few
More curving symbols make their arched
Appearances (as tails on shorter notes,
For instance). Still, the overall effect
On eyes is like the tightness of gripped throats
Or whalebone girdles. All looks too correct.
It seems there’s nothing here that might render
The glory of music—and its splendor.