Microthought: On Harold Budd’s “Bandits Of Stature”

I listened
to the composer’s music
solitary while riding the subway–
not multitasking, not otherwise
occupied.

And so the thought
came to occupy me,
unfolding in slow phrases:

What do we value in music?
What of its values occupy us?
What aural codes
do we enjoy resonating with?

As I listened
to the composer’s music
it seemed to offer some hints–
long tones rubbing elbows,
space between the notes,
and brevity–
before the subway ride itself
was over.