On Preparing to Play Bach Again

Approach his brimming universe, first, delicately –
careful not to shock or skew the balances that float
and intertwine throughout into exactitudes –
like strands of sentient silk – intent on forming lace-like
symmetries, trajectories persisting to solution – second:

brace yourself for landing brutally on rock: expect
as you blast down to crash as hard as his unyielding
adamantine moon can smash you – swoon:
bleed from the punch, and taste the blood – careen –
again, again, until the battering suggests the hunch:

that this – whatever this insistence is – requires
attention of unparalleled completeness – breathe –
and let the pain flow into sweetness – simmer through
the anguish to the silences: experience the sensuosity
and balm – impute the change to this allowance:

his permission to be conscious – see and use the gift
of it until it fully blooms to polyphonic song – and you’ve
no mortal doubt that you belong – in his affliction
and his calm. Heed his metronomic heart, of which
you’ll be a breathing, feeling, beating part.

.