Romansky

This picture was taken in Prague, July 2007. Studying music in Plzeň, I took a bus to Prague and toured the city. As we were walking up the path to the castle (overlooking the Vltava), this man was playing waltzes. Looks like he just got out of work. It's a curious new age view of street musicians, as he has a cell phone on his hip and a brief case open on the cobblestone.


for everybody

I can't tell you quickly
What I ought to tell you,
Say man, pardon me, you'll know
That even though you don't listen to my words
I never took time off to weep or sleep
And that I've been with you when I couldn't see you
For a long time and I'll be there till the end.

I understand that many people are thinking,
"Say, what's Pablo doing?" I'm here.
If you look for me on this street
You'll find me with my violin
Ready to sing
And to die.

It's nobody's problem
Not for them, nor for you,
And if you listen well, in the rain,
You will be able to hear
That I come back and go away and stay.
And you'll know when I must leave.

If my words aren't heard
Don't doubt that I'm the one I was.
There is no silence that doesn't end.
When the moment arrives, wait for me,
And let everyone know that I'm coming
To the street, with my violin.

pablo neruda