A Window Shuts

An intense aroma from Mother's lilac bushes satiate the air through our open kitchen window Robins perched on the rusty downspout falling from our old front porch, whistling their sound of peek, tut, peek, tut Melancholy music is perceived faintly in the very near distance as my mother's fingers effortlessly surf the ivory keys of the piano, decades old and perfectly tuned Daddy reclines, comfortable in his easy chiar, listening. He smokes cherry blend tobacco in a hand-carved pipe creating an intithetic, lincering aroma as he sips his after dinner drink Too many whisley laden drinks change the focus of events as my Father stands up, curses his dislike of a tune being played He stumbles, raises an empty bottle of Jim Beam Whiskey, throwing it against the wall, shattering it into small jagged pieces Quicly, Mother's music ceases, as the open window slams shut, breaking the stained glass that she loved so dearly Soothing sounds and aromas of flowering spring bushes no longer hover but a repugnant smell of tobacco and hard liquor remain Sometimes I try and remember the flowery smells, soft musical sounds - but abruptly, I hear that colorful window quickly close Oh, how rapidly a serene mood is erased, replaced by one of uneasiness, sadness