C-Sharp Diminished

The pianist played Rachmaninoff

while his city burned. Some said

he shouldn’t have played

a Russian, considering

who was doing the bombing.

What music should one play

to accompany a war?

At sunset he switched to Beethoven.

Sonatas spilled from his fingers

while moonlight fell in flames.

He left behind pieces;

keys scattered like teeth

and a lone string

vibrating in the wind.