Death is a steady state,

life is a fleeting image;

Beethoven's Emperor Concerto

with Walter Gieseking

and The Berlin Reichsender Orchestra

under Artur Roter, November 1944 in Berlin,

the anti-aircraft guns thudding outside,

in parallel with Beethoven's situation

when composing the piece

in Vienna 1809,

during Monsieur Bonaparte's siege

Death is a steady state,

the distant roar of the motorway

winding gray bands over our eyes

while engine blocks smoke

with hot blood,

and silent Munch screams well out

of fresh grief

Death is a steady state,

life a waging of wars

and bedroom lockdowns,

as well as the suffering of illnesses

with unheard of names & consequences

I'm cutting down on living

as it is,

but I ain't seen nothing yet,

be-be-be-baby!

Go willy-nilly, go pick-a-dilly!

After thought comes after-thought;

before thinking, be sure you ought;

consider the fights you fought,

each lie that you stupidly bought

Death is a steady state;

it never comes too late;

every mate will meet his fate,

and you; just sit down and wait,

you'll share fate with Sharon Tate