Elizabeth Bishop
I Am in Need of Music
I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling fingertips
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips
With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead
A song to fall like water on my head
And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow!
There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea
And floats forever in a moon-green pool
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep