One, Two, Three, Four......

Try as I might,...I could not get it right My small fingers that fumbled over the ivory whites While scowling her face with that crabapple frown One, two, three, four...one, two, three four...., her eyes looking down "Try once more..." she repeated, and I would struggle, so hard.... She would point at the notes, with a yellow Number 2 ..... And circle the flats, and would circle sharps too One, two, three, four......one, two, three four... Don't bother to look at the exit or door The room was too warm..." I keep the thermostat at eighty she'd say" It helps old bones, , rhumatism, you know..it keeps the aching away" A scent of Vick's Vapo Rub when she leaned in too close "For my horrendous allergies".... she'd boast A Kleenex all waded, a ball in her fist, Her glasses hung from a nose, That constantly dripped One, two, three four,...one, two, three, four... Oh how I wanted to run straight out the door "Now, try it again", she'd say, as I glanced through the glass Out to the sun and the summertime grass With the sidewalk so ripe, for my playing 'neath trees For some hopscotch, or jump rope, or roller skate keys A day, ...not for Mozart, or Bach, or Beethoven...those guys... What could those grim, long dead, wearing wigs in disguise Understand of a little girls heart? One, two, three, four....One, two, three, four, Oh how I wanted to run out the door But now................My dear teacher....I wish you could know How I grew to love music, and remember the days When you gave me the knowledge and spirit to play This beautiful gift, which I cherish today......... One, two, three, four..... May I play you a melody?...... And then, if you don't mind... I'll be happy to play you one more.... __________________________________________________________________________ Miss Ella Mae Engle.... Rest in Peace, God Bless You, and Thank You From My Heart