BROKEN MUSIC
Reading edition
(IN MEMORIAM)
There it lies broken, as a shard,— What breathed sweet music yesterday; The source, all mute, has passed away With its masked meanings still unmarred. But melody will never cease! Above the vast cerulean sea Of heaven, created harmony Rings and re-echoes its release! So, thin dumb instrument that lies All powerless,—[with spirit flown, Beyond the veil of the Unknown To chant its love-hymned litanies,—] Though it may thrill us here no more With cadenced strain,—in other spheres Will rise above the vanquished years And breathe its music as before! [Louisville Times] Written December 7th, 1914. Rose de Vaux-Royer.
The spirit of Madison Cawein passed at midnight from this world of intimate beauty "To stand a handsbreadth nearer Heaven and what is God!"