Two Worlds of Black and White

How furiously most navigate
these polarized worlds of image and sound
of color
and lack of

For many
black never becomes white
White never embraces black
Paradox is banished
Stunted minds only perceive one
or the other. 

Yet

For a precious few
those who sit before
a black and white world of keys
tendon
bone and skin
stretching forth
as limber fingers
such merging of color’s deep mix
its wash of infinite searching
for hue and texture
gives birth to unique tone and vision
enabling layers of voices to step forth
becoming echoes to overlay echoes
embracing sound of distinguished structures

Hands realize the enigmatic reach
that unheard touch to fill the stretch
to speak that which might remain mute
were it not for those in need

Such is the struggle.

Behind such fingers and hands
there resides a restive pulse
that place where artistry gathers legitimacy
where striving to be felt as a language
yet to be defined
suffices the heart’s desire
the mind’s nourishment

Mystery the keyboard artist understands

An unrealized longing the pianist accepts