These past few days have been full of happenings. Lucia left us on the Feast of the Epiphany, (what better day to travel, no?) to join the teaching Dominicans in Wanganui, New Zealand, half a world away! Mom went with her as escort and to take a well-deserved two weeks' vacation; and so the family was left with me as new oldest sister and surrogate Mommy. The first half-day was the hardest, right after Lucia's departure; but the visit of a friend from Texas the next day, where we discussed music for the next Polyphony Jam Session, was so much fun I forgot to be miserable, and now I'm just trying to keep the housework going with some help from my homeschooling sister Rocio and my brother Ignacio, who has not returned to college yet (nor have I, we both start Monday.)

In the midst of all this, a sonnet has been fermenting in my mind for a couple of days. The last line came first (isn't it funny how that happens?) and today at last I sat down and wrote it.

The Pianist's Prayer
or, Prelude and Fugue

The music lies unclosed before my eyes;
My fingers swiftly touch each ivory key,
And once again the wondrous harmony
Flows forth through me, that sprang from one more wise.
The harmonies progressing fall and rise
And melody from melody with glee
Flees, as I often, all too often flee
God's graces, and his mercies do despise...

Dear Master, dear Composer, dearest Lord,
End thou my fugue from thee with sweet accord,
That no false note of mine offend thine ear;
O, by thy grace so generously given,
That earth may but the prelude be to heaven,
Lord, make my heart thy well-tempered clavier.

--January 8, 2009