Play With the Angels

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Theologian Karl Barth speculated that when
the angels get together to praise and honor God with music, they perform
the compositions of Bach. But when they are playing for each other, they
are more likely to choose Mozart. I guess that's because Mozart's stuff is
loose and free and inventive compared to Bach, who's formal and sober
and systematic. Mozart is more for parties, while Bach is for serious
occasions. I'm seeing the coming days as a time when you, like the angels,
should be especially willing to express yourself in very different ways,
depending on the audience.

This

KEEPING QUIET

by Pablo Neruda

Now we will count to twelve

and we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the earth,

let's not speak in any language;

let's stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines;

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

Fisherman in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,

victories with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes

and walk about with their brothers

in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,

and for once could do nothing,

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with death.

Perhaps the earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

Now I'll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.