POETRY (with your cognac [or martinis]

We are thrilled to share a new poem with you written by our friend and local poet, Mark Pearce. Thank you Mark! (copyright 2019 Mark Pearce)

Clara (August 1856)

He’s gone, now Clara

He’s gone to the ages

‘just his symphonies to hold us

In embrace

He’s better now, Dear Clara

He’s found his rest, darling one

And we must now make our music

At a pace

It was you, Dear Clara

Who gave Robert-dear the structure

And critique of work

To fortify his score’

It was you, Dear Clara

Who stepped back, in marital blessing

To allow no shade to fall

On Schumann’s core

But you have been denied

Dearest Clara, denied of every blessing

That should come your way

And come your way some more

I will be there for you, Clara

In the task of harmonizing

For the present, for the past

And ever more

I wish I could write, Dear Clara

As tenderly as I love you

And tell all the good things for you

I will make come true

In the while, Dear Clara,

I’m reworking a theme of Robert’s

And finished, I’d very like

To dedicate to you

I’ll need assent, Dear Clara

Or I’d want it, as I require it

In composing, or conducting

Or taking breath.

In the mean, Dear Clara,

I have structured your finances

And arranged for steady income

For your rest

So you will sing, Dear Clara

Not through voice but by your keyboard

And the score and spirit

Of a woman yet fulfilled

And I would be there, Beloved Clara when

Upon that day of reckoning

We would consummate a passion

Scarce revealed

Your Beloved,

Johannes Brahms

Mark Pearce is a sixth-generation Missourian who lives in Warrensburg, MO. After a long and fascinating career with public television and public radio at the University of Central Missouri, Mark retired and began writing poetry “to ensure that his waning years would be expressive ones”! He confesses to being particularly susceptible to rhythm, development and dramatic conclusion in his works and practices a wide range of poetic styles. Organizer of the Montserrat Poetry Festival and a regular participant in the Old Drum Open Mic Series, Mark can be found on Wednesday mornings pulling weeds in the specimen garden at Turkeyfoot Prairie.