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Musical Memories

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FICTIONAL POEM FOR CONTEST

Gnarled fingers yearn to touch those keys and perform Moonlight Sonata Young supple hands once played with ease mum had memorized Toccatta She hasn’t played for several years, gnarled fingers yearn to touch those keys Mum can’t hold back her anguished tears - her hands reach out; I watch her freeze Mum once played with such expertise, fluttering hands tinkling a tune Gnarled fingers yearn to touch those keys - her music room will be cleared soon Old keyboard will be sold today, we've got to pay mum's care home fees T'was in this room she used to play ... gnarled fingers yearn to touch those keys Image 3 chosen Contest Sponsored by Joseph May 02/02/20

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Sandra Adams

Date: 3/1/2020 1:54:00 PM

wow... your words really bring this scene to life....I could see her there, fingers too deformed to play the keys and the sadness in her eyes and she followed the keys along in her mind... excellent write! hugs

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/16/2020 2:36:00 PM

It is very hard to sell an item like a piano that had so much family history. (I cannot throw out my father's old typewriter.) Of all the quaterns I've seen today, this is the one that plays most on my heart strings. Beautifully penned, Jan. Congratulations on your win!

Jenish Somadas

Date: 2/16/2020 6:04:00 AM

Old keyboards are winning the race.. Beautifully penned Jan.. Congrats..

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 2/15/2020 2:26:00 PM

It is so sad to watch a parent go through pain in old age - congratulations on your placement in the contest, Jan-

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/15/2020 1:03:00 PM

Wow, Jan. Love your poem. Bravo. A most deserving win.

Joseph May

Date: 2/15/2020 12:42:00 PM

"Her hands reach out; I watch her freeze" a sad verse Jan, Congrats on your win

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 2/3/2020 9:59:00 PM

Love this! A fine write must find its way up to the top!

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:52:00 AM

Thanks kim im very proud of this poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/3/2020 5:40:00 PM

I know this is fictional but it still brought tears when I got to the end. This is poignantly beautiful Jan. I hope it wins first place! : ) xxoo

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:51:00 AM

I hope Joseph likes it connie:-) Hugs Jan xx

Rico Leffanta

Date: 2/2/2020 7:17:00 PM

Every day I see the elderly with misshapen fingers; it is like the "empty nest", i.e. one must find something else to fill one's life, but a great poem, Jan! Aloha! Rico

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:49:00 AM

I see so much when I visit mum in her care home and the frustration at not being able to do what they once could:-( hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/2/2020 2:17:00 PM

So sad when that happens Jan, we have to live every day because there will come a time when we won't be able to do things we used to do. Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:46:00 AM

Exactly Tom!:-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/2/2020 2:11:00 PM

An outstanding poem that evokes compassion for the elderly mother. As we age, we lose skills and it's hard to accept these changes. A fave for me, Hon. Love, Carolyn

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:46:00 AM

Thanks Carolyn it's quite an emotive piece:-) hugs Jan xx

Paul Callus

Date: 2/2/2020 12:58:00 PM

Might be fictional, but certainly beautiful and tugs at our heart strings, Jan. I too would have chosen that picture, but my muse is fast asleep:) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 2/4/2020 5:44:00 AM

Thanks Paul, I find writing sadder easier than romantic poetry:-) I never know what my muse will come up with when I pickup my pencil:-) hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 2/2/2020 11:37:00 AM

this is so touching and beautifully written, jan! you've really painted a very poignant picture...

Jan Allison
Date: 2/2/2020 12:36:00 PM

Thanks Ilene, none of us are musical so it is a fictional write on my behalf but I can picture an aged lady who is no longer able to play and her treasured possessions have to go when she moves into care... it is quite and emotive poem:-( hugs jan xx