why does my heart skip a beat
when I play the old songs of Grieg? 
like the clear chill of a Nordic sunrise
they parlay and riff on a pristine sadness:

the beauty of life
the passing of things
the sap yearning taste of spring.

nostalgic, yet sharp edged
clear and distilled
they work their charms with a simple intent
like Schubert's Lachen und Weinen.

Heartache:
in the intoxication of music
lies our own pleasurable death.