essay on the history of music

Stravinsky

I’m a caveman
I’m a
goddamn
caveman


Beethoven

let’s fill this up with
something to get the
demonstration jumping
god fuck I’m too
self-conscious to write a poem
at this rate it’ll all devolve
to self-expression
and people will say “con
fessionalism” and twist their noses
to show revulsion
for the stock allergy
year of our lord 2008
what are you and
what are you really thinking
about stocks in economy and pro
fessional war
I am not sure I’m anybody and
I am thinking about that
pretty much all the time
and getting ready to go
deaf so I can write my greatest music


Mozart

if the emperor doesn’t want
any comedy in his opera
then fuck him
cause I’ve got
birdman
bird cage on his back
a bird catcher
meets birdgirl
of like aspect and
occupation
and they spend two acts
wondering if they’re right for each other


Bach

abacus I had
so many children
listen
this calculation
square root of
my body
listen to
my body
the bass strings
my intestines keep it
quiet
that Italian
never speak of him


Vivaldi

artificial water
intimidated midget
stone faces
allegorically
representing