Affliction 

By Andrea Cantarelli

Beethoven’s Fate Symphony is loudly vibrating out there, 

He runs back and forward over his mind, 

Like a flock of birds coming from everywhere 

An avalanche of feelings, 

Sun and rain over the window; bright colors he can see. 

Beethoven’s Fate Symphony is loudly vibrating out there, 

The aged cheese with its particular umami flavor, is not enough to recall any glimpse of memory, 

The soft touch of the silk solely brings him longing, 

From whom could be that red scarf on his bed? 

Beethoven’s Fate Symphony is loudly vibrating out there, 

And even though the woody perfume smelling in the air, 

Of no memories at all, he could be aware. … 

Beethoven’s Fate Symphony is loudly vibrating out there. … 

Beethoven’s Fate Symphony is loudly vibrating out there. 

Five senses, even more, make him physically alive, and still, 

No vestige of life, no biography to write, 

Anguished time, sore, and pain, 

The desire of recollection, 

In an empty mind, 

All effort to remember, 

And what last is a blank mind. 

No history to share, desert, 

Lost mind.