"And life is music, love, and laughter."

The words rang Mocking in his ears.

As if things were as sure as that"

Thus heavy on him fell the years.

"yes, love,"he thought,"a searing flame,

Blotting all else from consciousness.

To ruin plans and youthful hopes

And drives out peace and rest

And music - iron throated,

Thundering through a weary land

The rumbling sound of war afar,

And its insatiable demand.

And laughter, shrill and sharp

of gods upon olympus, looking down

To see the madness of a mortal

In his narrow world of light and sound."