A Musical Novelty

Once, at a friend's invitation, Finding an hour of leisure, I went to him to listen To an interesting musical novelty. With enthusiasm, with proud excitement My friend turns on the machine— And a rumble fills the house, Fortunately without black smoke. The speakers wheeze and crackle, The very walls tremble from the strain. I cannot fathom: is it sorrow, Or joy in this song, or longing? Now something wails frightfully, Now pounds, like in a mortar, My friend smiles meaningfully And in time pronounces: "Super!" I open the window, but what's the use— I cannot escape the trap, And now thunderous decibels Shred the air into pieces. Yet suddenly like a singing bird Through the starry silver downpour Right into the radiance of the Milky Way Soared a happy soul. And the heart, forgetting fatigue, Flew on the wings of dreams, And from the windows of the neighboring house There streamed "Ave Maria."