The following three poems were written before attending Regis College. MUSIC I The bicycle I was on broke. What others never forget I’ve yet to learn. Is this still true? Don’t smother the flicker, it’s your bonfire. Your limitations are your premise. My work has not yet begun: you can not be a musician without the endless hours of your own limitations. So with every laden hour my cold wall crumbles from the strength of my weakness. MUSIC II As upon meeting the stranger’s face expectations of “goodness” and “evil” depictions barring perception. Now upon listening to the stranger’s words seeing expectations as illusion, sounds transforming face into new meanings: dissipating foreignness giving way to the soul, recognition of friend so is a Brahms Intermezzo in B flat. THE PRACTICE ROOM The door’s sudden opening startled my focused space. Fear stormed her face laden voice bearing apprehension: urgent loss of a treasure irreplaceable indispensable eyes searching corners leading piercing disregarding space one goal one object one destination. If speedy rays travel as lazered beams so quick was relief on beholding the find: a painter’s brush a ballerina’s slippers the pianist’s nail clippers.