At the Solitary Age of Twelve—
Seven and Twelve Being Holy Numbers
The first of seven early music books
Reveals a boy methodical as Bach.
He studies Bach’s first 48. He looks
In detail, analyzing. “Let us talk,”
He seems to say, “Just you and I alone.
You give me notes and I make careful notes
In my replies,” establishing a tone
Of life-long worship and respect. No throats
Are needed in this conversation. Still,
The pages take the reverent boy’s replies.
He works throughout the book of beauties til
He fills it with his thoughts. His careful eyes
Take in the teaching, fingers taking down
The lessons. Hubert leans, a smiling frown.