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.

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

medically prescribed that did in poor, poor Schubert?

Who knows? Certainly not me.