In Mexico, they speak of poetry
as “scatterings of jade,” she says. Valued
more than gold. She suffers rigidity
of Parkinson’s now. Brain waves misconstrue
music notes, knock her off course. She’s silenced
her stunning voice—her scatterings of jade
limited to disks and YouTube. But at ease
in the interview, gazing from dim stage,
she ends by taking questions, smiling, pleased
with the adoring audience. Knowledge
swells her responses, not just to disease,
but music, writing, education, pledge
to civilization’s safeguard. Our
sublime
applause shows we’ll love her for a long, long time.
Roger Armbrust
October 16,
2013
