Walnuts
Philosophers have said that we love music
because it resembles the sphere-sounds
of union. We've been part of a harmony
before, so these moments of treble and bass
keep our remembering fresh. But how
does this happen within these dense bodies
full of forgetfulness and doubt and
grieving? It's like water passing through us.
It becomes acidic and bitter, but still as
urine it retains watery qualities.
It will put out a fire! So there is this music
flowing through our bodies that can dowse
restlessness. Hearing the sound, we gather
strength. Love kindles with melody. Music
feeds a lover composure, and provides form
for the imagination. Music breathes
on personal fire and makes it keener.
The waterhole is deep. A thirsty man climbs
a walnut tree growing next to the pool
and drops walnuts one by one into
the beautiful place. he listens carefully
to the sound as they hit and watches
the bubbles. A more rational man gives advice,
"You'll regret doing this. You're so far
from the water that by the time you get down
to gather walnuts, the water will have
carried them away." He replies, "I'm not
here for walnuts, I want the music
they make when they hit."
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