I entered the concert room, soft music filling my ears. I looked around, and noticed the numerous couples on the dance floor, swaying with their partners softly to the music. Trying to place where the music was coming from, I noticed a man by the wall playing a violin. I walked over to him with a smile; I had found who I was looking for.

Sir, would you happen to be the man who never stops playing music?" I locked my blue eyes with his green ones, and he nodded with a smile.

Yes I would. How may I help you?" The speed of the music decreased as the song came to a slower part.

I just have one question, sir." I said, standing beside him watching his bow gently gliding across the strings of his violin. He nodded, indicating for me to ask it. "Why is it that you never stop playing music?" I turned my head to the side, curiosity written all over my expression.

He looked thoughtfully at his violin for a moment. "What do you know of Shakespeare's plays and such?"

Not much."

Hmm… Have you heard of his play Twelfth Night?"

No. Like I said, I don't know much about Shakespeare's plays. I only know what pretty much comes to mind when you think of Shakespeare. He was a poet, wrote plays and such as well, Romeo and Juliet, England, that type of information."

The violinist chuckled. "Well, okay. In it, Shakespeare states, 'If music be the food of love, play on!' Does that makes sense to you?"

Sort of. But not really." His head shook in response. "What?"

You understand that food provides energy for the average human body, correct?"

Yes…" I understood that; who didn't? Though, how did this apply to music and love? The confusion was getting to me.

Well, we can't survive without energy, can we?"

I suppose we cannot."

Apply that concept with music and love."

I think I understand your reasoning. Are you saying that music is a key part of love, and therefore love needs music to go on?"

Exactly."

But why do we need love…?"

Without love, I personally believe the world would be in chaos. So, I do what I can to promote it and keep it circulating. Which is why I play music; I don't want people to stop loving."

Interesting… You don't seem to love someone yourself, though. Why?"

The music slowed as the violinist looked down. "I did. I did love someone very much so. I'm quite sure my feelings weren't unrequited, fortunately. However…" The man paused. "Well, there was an accident. While she was with me, though, the feeling we shared was the most incredible I've ever felt. I want everyone to experience it; another reason why I play music and tend to not stop." He smiled softly.

Embarrassed that I had asked such a personal question, I nodded with a soft "Oh.". I stared down at my feet, a blush beginning to appear on my face.

Do not worry, I don't mind such questions. I'm glad that somebody cares." Another smile. Despite the tragedy this man seemed to have gone through, the violinist was optimistic and smiled a lot. Could that feeling have affected him that much?

Well… thank you I suppose. You have been very kind to me and I greatly appreciate it. I wish you luck on your journey to supply the world with music, which is possibly the most beautiful thing to have ever reached my ears, sir." I bowed and made my way to the door as he thanked me.

As I opened the door to make my departure, a deep voice sang out soft lyrics.

Father,' she says, 'though in me you behold
the injury of many a blasting hour,
Let it not tell your judgement I am old:
Not age, but sorrow over me hath power.
I might as yet have been a spreading flower,
Fresh to myself, if I had self-applied
Love to myself, and to no love beside.