I trudged to the fifth floor of Spinoza HS <br />to look for my buddy, Henry. <br />When I entered the Music office <br />I said, “You didn’t show up for lunch.” <br />“Marking papers, ” he said. <br />I sat down. <br />As usual Thomas Noony <br />worked at his electronic keyboard <br />dreaming of his debut at Carnegie Hall. <br />I said to Henry, “Taped Pavarotti last light, a great singer.” <br />Thomas immediately declared, “You know he’s not <br />highly regarded among professional musicians <br />doesn’t sing from the diaphragm <br />say like Placido Domingo.” <br />“Thomas, ” I said, “does it really matter <br />what the professionals say? After all, <br />he did fill Lincoln Center to capacity.” <br />“According to that logic, Bernstein, <br />Liberace must have been <br />the greatest pianist of this century <br />but he didn’t come close <br />to the consummate artists, say like Arthur Rubenstein.” <br />When I heard that name a shudder shot through me <br />“I met his daughter once, ” I said. <br />“Really? ” gasped Thomas. <br />“She’s a famous photographer, Eva Rubenstein, <br />came to RIT while I was there to give a lecture <br />and afterwards took questions <br />and eventually someone asked, <br />‘What was it like to have a famous father? ’ <br />‘A nightmare, ’ she said, <br />‘he cared nothing for his children, <br />only the piano.’ “ <br />Thomas stared at me, a bit confused, <br />saying, “Is that a true story? ” <br />“Then her head down, tears, <br />silence in the room, everyone waiting, <br />still tears, finally said, <br />‘What he wished for <br />what he longed for…’ “<br /><br />Charles Chaim Wax<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/thinking-it-above-all-things-desirable/
