This dead of midnight is the noon of thought,
And Wisdom mounts her zenith with the stars.
At this still hour the self-collected soul
Turns inward, and beholds a stranger there
Of high descent, and more than mortal rank;
An embryo God; a spark of fire divine.
Bio: Irvin Kauffman is a musician and former Assistant Principal Cello. For 34 years of dedicated service, the Pittsburgh Symphony awarded him the chair of Assistant Principal Cello Laureate.
