-schoenberg’s romance-

Before he drove head-long into it

sticking his neck out to the twelve-

tone row, 
Schoenberg turned a tonal phrase.

Schoenberg was young when they lined the walls

waiting their chance to dance with him, 

and dance with him they did.

The spine of the cactus was later to pierce

the wall-flowers through their ears.

But earlier, Tovelille listened to all of it.

Schoenberg danced with Tove,

whether bramble-thicket 

or meadow's sweep— both

dancing the one-way road, one to the twelve-

tone row.






                                    Fall River / 2011