Paganini's Theme Poem by Roy Ballard

Paganini's theme

It seems to summon demons all around
with snatches of the devil's private prayers;
to fill the air with wild, disturbing sound,
with doctrines dangerous and rebel airs.
The kick and stamp and dash of heel and toe
go on until a master stroke, unplanned,
comes in to soothe the endless welts of woe,
to put a treasure in the master's hand.
The eighteenth variation changes all
as if some jungle balm made from a leaf
had turned to flowers every cannonball;
made us forget the price of love is grief;
put scarlet roses in the armoury;
turned all our conflicts into harmony.