I Am in Need of Music

I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling fingertips
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips
With melody, deep, clear and liquid-slow.
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low,
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead,
A song to fall like water on my head,
And over quivering limps, dream flushed to glow!

There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet brath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading coors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.

Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979)