Another interesting (to me, at least) quotation, from Thomas Mallon, in
THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR.  Discussing the differences between writing poetry
and prose, he performs a self-analysis:  "My prose nature betrays itself
when I hear music (I have difficulty attending to anything but melody)
and when I walk (I set a fast, even pace...)"

Does regarding melody as the most important element in music (and I plead
guilty here) make one prosaic rather than poetic?

Dorothy Smith