On the loom of his zither

his fingers dance to the tapestry of music

hither and thither

as spells combine with cigarette smoke

and Austrian wine

 

to the delight of frau and fraulein.

He weaves on his endless train of dreams

cowbells, sweeping hills

plunging roofs

cobbles and sewers where Harry Lime

met Orson Welles.

 

Karas became a reluctant star

performing to royals

preferring to play in his local bar. .