Papillons

Even though Schumann clearly connects this work to the last scene in Jean Paul's Flegeljahre, I think this piece beckons imagination. This piece is obviously programmatic; however, as Schumann claimed, "I allocated the text to the music and not vice versa." This leaves the doors open for all sorts of programmatic ideas and personal creativity. Music is characterized by individual perception. Despite the composers attempts to make associations between specific texts and the music, we, the listeners, are free to interpret away. The beauty of this piece inspired me to write this poem.

It falls and feels
the warmth,
the heavenly glow.....

floating,
floating in the breeze
sailing the current
riding the invisible path
to destinations unknown...
to places assured
peace
live
careless
free
free to feel the effortless ascent
and the assured fall
and rise, and fall..again

Danger..
no a friend above
soaring
soaring, brilliant
flying confident, bold

Danger..
no,
below,
across, with weight he moves... strong
each step...decisive

Anger, irritation
they swarm
Sharp wings they hover
darting towards the intruder
flee, fly, leave, go------------------------
gone

return
to the dream
drift like the leaves
yet flow
go and return
know,
then do not

drift