they bless me

I spend all my morning with the muses;  
- and they bless me also in my walks.

Compelled to contemplate a lasting malady,

 born with an ardent and lively temperament, 

susceptible to the diversions of society, 

I was obliged at an early date to isolate myself and live a life of solitude....

For me there can be no recreation in human society, refined conversation,

 mutual exchange of thoughts and feelings; only so far as necessity

 compels may I give myself to society,—

I must live like an exile. 

~ from the Ludwig van Beethoven journals

with thanks to Roderick Maclver

at heron dance

portrait by 

Joseph Karl Stieler