Of possible mercury poisoning, syphilis,

and a drizzle of music appreciation

Let's consider Franz Schubert.

Admittedly, I'm not drawn to his music for a day-to-day experience,

but I find the circumstances surrounding his death intriguing.

It might have been mercury, medically prescribed in his time which did him in,

or the syphilis it was meant to cure, but couldn't.–– Who knows?

I'll tell you who knows. Nobody,–– that's who.

 

Now I’m thinking of writing my own "unfinished" poem.

It seems easy enough.

All's I gotta do is stop short; done before its time,

as unfinished as the B minor 8th.

I’d have to be smart about it; no clues left behind.

I wouldn’t want anyone to catch-on to the subterfuge.
But I don't want to leave them to random guessing, either.

Who knows which straws they'd be grasping to reach an opinion

on my great unfinished poem!

In the meantime,–– was it syphilis or the poison of mercury,

medically prescribed that did in poor, poor Schubert?

Let's see.–– My straw says.. mercury!