Higgins

By Paul Campanis

When an artist leaves, a void results.  That is the point of the piece

to me.  On the surface it is about loss which is part of life but so is art,

what thing is so hard to do and we seldom realize it when an artist paints

or a writer puts down words.  It is so darn hard to be good at anything and

takes a lot of hard work.  But Higgins is a good pianist I would guess and

Justice makes that point.  Donald Justice.

    "Variations for Two Pianos."

 

    There is no music now in all Arkansas.

    Higgins is gone, taking both his pianos.

 

    Movers dismantled the instruments, away

    Sped the vans.  The first detour untuned the springs.

 

    There is no music now in all Arkansas.

 

    Up Main Street, past the cold storefronts of Conway,

    the brash, self-important brick of the college,

 

    Higgins is gone, taking both his pianos.

 

    Warm evenings, the windows open, he would play

    Something of Mozart's for his pupils, the birds.

 

    There is no music now in all Arkansas.

 

    How shall the mockingbird mend her trill, the jay

    His eccentric attack, lacking a teacher?

 

    Higgins is gone, taking both his pianos.

    There is no music now in all Arkansas.

 

Paul I don't really know why but I like to read the piece aloud.  I

especially like the line about the jay's eccentric attack.  I like to hear

the birds in my yard when I am at work or the one's at Fryer's when I am

outdoors working as I will be today.  They are a kind of backdrop.  I

especially enjoy the company of the silly crows that jump around so when I

am out there.  I like the noise and clatter they make.  Have a nice day and

speak to you soon.