Sonatas VIII

Untouched

Words by Khaetidawne Quirk

As I walked out into the untouched snow
The pristine beauty that met my wondering eye;
Filled my imagination with the worlds we know -
The worlds of nature, the forests, the trees, oceans, the skies...
The wonders we see as time goes by in years in flashes and spaces -
Those natural wonders are changed by time and by us and our careless traces.
We must take some care with the passage of time;
We should leave some traces of where we've been
But we should leave things of beauty and joy behind
Things to remember we were loving kin.
For this we’ve written these lines and composed these images
To memorialize this day’s feelings upon these pages.

Allegro Giojoso
Sonatas VIII-1 (Allegro Giojoso)	Sonatas VIII-2 (Allegro Giojoso)
Early in the morning, new fallen snow To the winter gardens’ untouched frost I go. No footsteps mar the paths of white; Not a rabbit or cat track is in sight; Not a sound yet rents the air - Even the wind seems to hide elsewhere. The frosty morning is quite still As I venture toward the sledding hill.	Looking upward at the snow Piled on branches, poised to fall below Flocking trees along the lane Where soon, the children will sled again Down three sloping hills toward the river they’ll glide; Some with dogs or cats frisking and sliding beside. Catawampus some of their pets will go Some will go twirling through the snow!
Sonatas VIII-3 (Allegro Giojoso)	Sonatas VIII-4 (Allegro Giojoso)
The fast sledding starts beyond the tree If the children lose hats or mittens, St. Francis will guard them for free. How they slide, one by one, down three gentle hills They laugh all the way, it’s quite fast, but there aren’t hard spills. You may glimpse the Rock River there on the right Where Emily and Miss Jayne once went ice fishing with my wife. Over and over they slide, again and again Then left to climb the stairs and return to “Sledding Lane.” As I look at the snow on the branches and boughs Thinking of the sledders on cardboard boxes now When I was a child we rode sleds from stores But even today, all the riders are eager for more! I think, “How untouched the frozen lane is now” How the pristine frosting coats each branch, each bristle and bough.	I step aside - the sled lane is exposed Near the snow covered evergreen past which sledders rode With rosy cheeks and merry laughter Scarves flying behind them and dogs tumbling after! Children make snow angels down there at the end, Then climb up steps on the left to slide down again. As I look at the lane with its trees on the side A springtime memory does abide, For the snowy branches in their frosted freeze In the spring are lovely bridal wreathes. These hills all green and white in spring, With violets of every shade blooming And children romping everywhere; Picking flowers in the fresh spring air! Hunting for their Easter Eggs On unsteady toddler legs, While young parents hold their baby hands In each basket - treasures land! Now ice seals each memory spring has left But I do not feel bereft For will not the melting snow Water the seeds that lie below? Will not the thaw make flowers grow That spring will bloom anew?
Adagio Delicato
Sonatas VIII-5 (Adagio Delicato)	Sonatas VIII-6 (Adagio Delicato)
Castles and fortresses are these trees covered with snow Where I’d tryst with my wife - born where snow never goes. She'd just seen a few inches once or twice in her life Before I brought her here when I took her to wife. Here she said she found “Diamonds that fell from the sky!” Said, “There’s peace in the snowfall before people walk by.” I find peace before rabbits or cat tracks mar snow or the ice Before wind meets the wires to throw snow bursts once or twice; To shatter the icicles, to crash a few down To bring chaos or crumbling to this smooth snowy town Where peace reigns in ice dreams and winter lies deep. While I alone wander as the happy town sleeps Warm ‘neath their eiderdowns, happy they lie In the dear land of counterpane as their warm dreams sweep by...	A quiet scene on a peaceful day Still nothing to mar the quiet, I say No wind or animals at play - And then, while everything is still A hushed, soft sound the silence fills The air - what can it be? I search the trees - I have to see... I looked about the scenes of white To find the sound, to catch the sight! I caught the snow taking a sudden spill! For the gentle sway of a wire will Oft shake the snow quite suddenly! Some snow has dropped upon a tree To cause a burst on a branch of snow! ‘Tis like a snowy cross near center left in white; Looking on to guard the falling snow The tree stands a sentinary guard in the rear, near right.
Sonatas VIII-7 (Adagio Delicato)	Sonatas VIII-8 (Adagio Delicato)
Looking upward through the trees snow glazed and frozen I’m pleased I took this path unchosen By the little forest creatures That I may enjoy the unmarked features While I journey forward - not too far I look not backward as I go To see not where my footsteps marred Where I went walking in the snow. Now home to breakfast I’ll enjoy the trees aglaze With frosty lace of snow and ice Before the world of nature wakes to winters’ wonder and delights.	While I take joy in my lone reverie In the beauty of these sights I see The untouched scenes and memories Of quiet snowflakes coming down Of untouched beauty all around.
Andante Felice
Sonatas VIII-9 (Andante Felice)	Sonatas VIII-10 (Andante Felice)
Pristine in all it’s untouched glory Kissed by the sun, sky blue and bright Before the world wakes up to see the story I walk home a different way along the paths of untouched white. Not wishing to see the prints I made to mark the perfect sight.	Still quiet on this early morn No person on my solitary stroll I meet No footprints in the snow adorn Though I see the plow has met the street - A harbinger of the waking day When all that’s peaceful ebbs away. Too soon - the sounds of nature wake The sounds of winter birds and fowl Dogs will bark and cats will prowl; Rabbits hop, the fox will trek; The lonely deer will stretch it’s neck; The raccoon will scatter specks around if things aren’t fastened tight - Children in their winter boots will jump to break the puddle ice. I think of places I may take my bride, perhaps she’s up to meet the sights In the untouched beauty of the icy snowy white Of natures’ splendorous silent morn, without the public clatter. I’ll hold her hand, we’ll stroll awhile She’ll hear the laughter of a child - She’ll say, “I know nature’s both wild and mild without the world’s mad chatter! But - Oh! My Love! Just hear that child! That child makes all this matter!”