Madness of Musical Men

   Madness of Musical Men

 

Modern poetry  modern verse  contemporary poetry  contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

“The work is characterized by the so-called Petrushka chord (consisting of C major and F♯ major triads played together), a bitonality device heralding the appearance of the main character.” ~Wikipedia, Petrushka

Listen for the dissonant Petrushka chord, notablay starting at one minute 23 seconds / 24 seconds in this excerpt from the ballet:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NLLAUbCgP0

I sing dark music with the language of

The harpists who still linger from the past.

They urge the truth about men’s hearts, their love

And murders.  Men’s romance and hates contrast,

But not so we can parse them out with ease.

Composers such as men write dances made

Of two key signatures at once, two keys

That clash against each other, like a blade

And blade in duelling.  Women, children, all

The men who try to be pale pacifists, watch

And listen.  Normal (so-called) guys appall.

We glance away because they thrust a crotch.

..Their symphonies and rumbas ply a sword

…..Of fleshed testosterone to make each chord.