To Delight in Mahler
by Jaymes Faulkner
Grasping the handkerchief in my hand I smiled, ruefully, through my tears as I dabbed at my cheeks until I was left with nothing but damp tracks. The strains of Mahler’s fifth symphony filled the small office, the needle on the phonograph brought to life by the music that so moved me. It didn’t matter how I steeled myself, or even how many times I listened to it, each and every time I heard that wondrous melody it happened; I was moved to tears.
The knock at the door went unanswered as I allowed the final notes to fade away; even though the room was now silent the music played on. Deep in my heart. Deep in my soul.
Getting to my feet I arranged my uniform, ensuring that the cuffs were equal and that the tie, just visible underneath my double-breasted jacket, was straight. Placing my peaked cap under one arm I opened the door, briskly returning the sharp salute given by the junior lieutenant.
“It is time, Mein Commandant.”
We walked out into the yard, the noonday Sun shining down brightly onto the gallows, and barely pausing to acknowledge the executioner standing beside his charges I signalled that he should go ahead.
The sounds - the trapdoors opening, the ropes straining taut, the bodies dropping, and the cries choking of in a sudden juxtaposition of cracking bones - went unheard by me.
I was still delighting in Mahler.
Jaymes Faulkner: I’m Jay and though I reside in Northern Ireland home’s simply wherever my loved ones are – my wife, best-friend and soul mate, Carole, and our two wonderful baby boys – Mackenzie and Nathaniel. So while I'm a hopeful writer, martial artist, sketcher, and dreamer I'm mostly just a husband and father. www.jayfaulkner.com Contact James.
