Stefano Maderno, St. Cecilia, 1599

W. H. Auden

Hymn to Saint Cecilia

(Patron Saint of Musicians)

In a garden shady this holy lady 

With reverent cadence and subtle psalm, 

Like a black swan as death came on 

Poured forth her song in perfect calm: 

And by ocean's margin this innocent virgin 

Constructed an organ to enlarge her prayer, 

And notes tremendous from her great engine 

Thundered out on the Roman air. 

Blonde Aphrodite rose up excited, 

Moved to delight by the melody, 

White as an orchid she rode quite naked 

In an oyster shell on top of the sea; 

At sounds so entrancing the angels dancing 

Came out of their trance into time again, 

And around the wicked in Hell's abysses 

The huge flame flickered and eased their pain. 

Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions 

To all musicians, appear and inspire: 

Translated Daughter, come down and startle 

Composing mortals with immortal fire.

Very well, it is Saint Cecilia's Day in the Catholic world, patroness of musicians.

I only just learned that Danielle Miterrand died today.  All of a sudden, this poem, which I had picked simply because it is musicians' day, takes on a new meaning, as well as the one intended.

Oh it is sad when we, who are still alive, who still have to deal with the sometimes impossibly and unnecessarily, at times, heavy atmosphere which exists in the world, and we have to do it without the presence of someone like Danielle, to make it lighter, better, more just, brighter; she was tough but not without tenderness.  We are poorer without her.  But what she embodied and inspired will not disappear with her body; W. H. Auden's poem, to me, describes not only the strength which poured out of Cecilia, but also of Danielle. And so many others, whose names we'll never learn, whose music we'll never hear.