Melomania

Erste Briefe

Liebe Freundin,

Begginings are always fun, meine Freundin. At first, they seem scary, the big Unknown that lies ahead seems cold and unforgiving. You made big steps, you even moved countries and I admire your bravery. It's because you follow your passion with such dedication that I find that you're the most interesting person on this earth. May the Lord bless you and the past masters bring you guidance. Perhaps even the one you admire shall bestow his inspiration to you!

It's because you're courageous that I adore you, my dear friend. You have this peculiar strength to accept challenges that seem outright impossible, much like the labours of Sisyphus. I support you wholeheartedly in your endeavours and hold you dear in my heart.

The weather here is as you know it, sunny sky and cool, gentle wind. My father is busier than ever before, I fear that fatigue may take a toll on him. It certainly wasn't easy to resume work after the incident, yet his will is so strong that no mere heartache can stop him.

Oh, please, write me more! I feel I am the only one talking, boring you with my words. Write me pages upon pages of wonder! Write me, my dear friend, about your amazing journey! How long did it take you to reach the great city? Did you fly or did you go on straight, clean road? I too wish I could travel as you do. I have heard stories of father's travels and I have since longed to see the world myself: the marvels of Rome, the lights of Paris, the cobbled streets of Vienna and the artistical wonders of Florence. Tell me, meine Freundin, tell me of the blue Danube that flows gracefully through the city. Is it as blue as they say, do ships sway as lazily on her waves as the sun sets as I was told so many times?

Ah... I must have bored you with my pointless, unrequited wishes! I wish to hear what else you have been practicing. Perhaps you can test your skills on a good Schumann piece or even one of Chopin's études, which I doubt it would pose a challenge for you. I can say I have made progress with my lessons and my teacher is very pleased. Pleased is also my father. I find that evenings or quiet mornings are the best time to play the piano, are they not? It's so romantic basking in the warm morning light as your fingers waltz across the delicate ivory keys.

What else are you reading? I finished the poem you have translated for me. That was so sweet of you and I must find a way to repay your boundless kindness. It's all about unrequited love, isn't it? Love is the force that sets all in motion. Love conquers all, yet love can be easily deceived. When you love, you're either the strongest man on Earth or the weakest, but the lack of love means the lack of life thereof. It travels through space and time to reach us, we see it close and feel it's warmth, but it might not be there. I got a bit philosophical, but my recent reading of Petrarch has proven fruitful. I found a passage in one of his sonnets that I cherish.

I wish you all the best my friend!

Love,
C. L.