Gwyneth Lewis – Ⅴ

Angel of Healing 

 

 

 

Every disease is a work of art

if you play it rightly. Of course, it hurts

like hell, but can be used

as a reminder that your mind

is not on its business, which is ‘now’,

however painful. Novalis knew

that all illness requires a musical cure.

 

 

By this he meant: whatever the form

imposed by arthritis, or by the gout,

your job’s to compose yourself round about

its formal restrictions, and make that sing,

even to death. And all that pain?

Messengers from your beloved to say

‘Wait for me, darling, I’m on my way!’