The Beast of the Concert Hall
It’s been but a fortnight
And the trouble has passed.
Forgotten ensemble
The audience aghast.
The pianist sat asunder
His mask flew from his face
What did appear
Was a shocking disgrace.
He had hidden for years
Until a false move
Had shocked yet again
The beast, once removed.
His face so distorted
That the world would see
Was not who he was,
Destroyed his pedigree.
Brought up within wealth
No matter for his mind,
His destiny was gone,
The world never kind.
He hid from them all
No choice was his lot.
Education unequalled
Yet he was forgot.
Through no fault of his
He was cast to the curb,
Though his musical genius
Was beyond the superb.
He traveled on foot
In the comfort of night,
The shadows welcomed
And held him ever tight.
Do what he must
In order to survive.
What he could never have,
His mind kept alive.
When he ran from the theatre
His life flashed before his eyes
The worst fear of all
Would lead to his demise.
They would search high and low
For the freak of the night
He must go underground
To save his pitiful life.
He didn’t count on her seeing him
She followed in silence.
He zigzagged through the subways
To escape from sure violence.
He lost her not long
After she began to pursue.
He escaped once again,
He easily withdrew.
Years eventually went by,
His safety ensured.
He survived writing music
Keeping finances assured.
She heard his trademark music
Coming up from the sewers.
Her duty was clear,
Once again she pursued.
It took her many days
To find what she’d seek
In reality it was years
That made her heart weep.
When they came face to face
She professed her undying love,
The most beautiful of all
Fit his hand like a glove.
He’d always hoped she was there
But had long lost his wish.
Who could love someone like him
He couldn’t be selfish.
He was in her dreams,
But she could never see his face.
Love meant more to her
And was worth the long wait.
The concert hall is now
Under the railway station
And he is the maestro,
His true vocation.
His beautiful heart
Shines near and far
With her by his side
He is finally a star.
© 2014 Deb Hirt
