One, Two, Three, Four

Try as I might....I could not get it right
Small fingers that stretched over the chipped ivory whites
While scrunching her face, with that crabapple frown
She would tap out the beat, with her eyes looking down
"One, two, three, four"...."One, two, three, four,"...
"Try once more"....she would say round and round
I would sigh, I would stumble, my fingers would pound...

She would point at the notes, with a yellow Number 2....
She would circle the flats...and would circle sharps too...
"One, two, three, four"....."One, two, three, four"....
Can't even bother to look for the door

In a room stifling hot, too warm for humans,
Perspiration would bead and shine on her face
..."The thermostat's at 80*", she so gleefully would say...
"It helps old bones keep limber, keeps my knees from giving way"
A scent of Vick's Vapo Rub when she leaned in too close
"For the horrors of my allergies"....I'd roast while she would boast
A Kleenex all waded....a ball in her fist,
Her glasses hung from her 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", .....as I glanced through the glass
Out to the sun and the summertime grass
With the sidewalk so ripe, for skinning my knees
And hopscotch, or jump rope, or roller skate keys...
A day.......NOT for Mozart, or Bach, or Beethoven...THOSE guys!!!
How could those grim, long dead dudes, wearing wigs in disguise
Understand a little girl's heart?  "One, two, three, four"...."One, two, three, four",

Oh how I wanted to run straight out the door! ...

But now,.......my dear teacher,......I wish you could know
How I grew to love music, and remember those days
When you gave me the knowledge and a spirit to play
A wonderful gift, which I cherish today....
"One, two, three, four"......the sound of it rings in my memory's core
I will play you a melody...and perhaps even more....
One, two, three, four....one, two, three, four,...one, two, three, four...
I still hear the sound of your voice, chanting the beat...and the score....

I will remember those moments, and to say even more
I thank you, Miss Ella and I will ever more.......

__________________________________
Miss Ella Mae Engle.....Rest in Peace, God Bless You, and Thank you from my heart
   ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

By Carrie Richards .......age 10

"You're A Little Kid Again" Contest: Sponsored by Juli-Michelle

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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12
Date: 10/1/2013 8:18:00 PM
You did well Carrie..... loving the win....SKAT
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Date: 9/30/2013 9:51:00 AM
This is an outstanding poem & dedication to great teacher of music my dear friend Carrie! I'm so delighted to read your narrative poem tonight. I can relate to this. :)) A great winning masterpiece indeed! Thank you so much for sharing & my big hearty congratulations on your great win! love lots and big big hugs, Leonora
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Date: 9/29/2013 7:53:00 PM
what a beautiful poem in her memory...I found myself chanting along...one, two, three, four...congrats on your win :)
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Date: 7/27/2013 8:55:00 PM
: ) This is a very lovely tribute to your musc teacher, Carrie! Memories like these last for all time..Congratulations on a very fine win! Love, Annalise
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Date: 7/27/2013 5:36:00 PM
hi Carrie music the soul of love congrats on fine win Shadow x smiles
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Date: 7/27/2013 1:52:00 PM
Carrie, , congratulations with your surprising winning poem in 'Giorgio Veneto' contest. always~ LINDA
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Date: 7/27/2013 4:43:00 AM
Carrie I so enjoyed your Narrative. I do hope you still play. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warm Smiles, Connie
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Date: 10/28/2011 4:22:00 PM
Congrats on your winning work..Sara
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Date: 10/28/2011 2:29:00 PM
I offend wonder how my life would have bloomed if I could have learned the piano..with learning issues it was too many things to process at the same time!! Wonderful write...you still fix that ballad ;)...Congrad's Light & Love
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Date: 10/27/2011 12:02:00 PM
Congrats, Carrie. Outstanding piece. Well deserved win. Enjoyed. luv Ralph
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Date: 10/27/2011 10:28:00 AM
Congrats Carrie on a wonderful second place win luv..
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Date: 10/27/2011 5:26:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Nancy's "Gratitude" contest Carrie. Love, Carol
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Date: 10/26/2011 6:53:00 PM
heh... had you pegged for a rule follower, go figure. Had a piano teacher taught me to love at a young age, too, strictly just like this. I don't remember her name, will ask my mom. This is a fabulous piece to me, Carrie, and I thank you~N
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Date: 2/28/2011 5:51:00 PM
Ah yes a favorite of mine, it's all you! Our numero uno gla. Congrad's Light & Love
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Date: 2/28/2011 11:08:00 AM
Great poem and I enjoyed. Hope you're happy. Love, Joyce
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Date: 2/28/2011 10:46:00 AM
Congrats on a well deserved win, Carrie. Excellent piece. Nice going. Luv Ralph
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Date: 2/28/2011 10:25:00 AM
A big congratulations on your win Carrie. I also believe it is one of your best poems. Love, Carol
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Date: 2/28/2011 9:08:00 AM
What a very sweet tribute this is Carrie! Your write just brought me there and I think Miss Ella would be proud of you :) Very touching piece that I really enjoyed reading :) Super congrats on your 2nd place win :) hugs :)
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Date: 2/28/2011 8:04:00 AM
congrats on your 2nd place win, some superb rhyme, reminds me of a music teacher from my own childhood!
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Date: 2/28/2011 7:20:00 AM
A beautiful Dedication my dear friend.Many warm congrats for this win.
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Date: 2/28/2011 6:33:00 AM
Great subject for a poem..congrats on your win..BG
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Date: 2/28/2011 6:26:00 AM
Congrats Carrie on your awesome win in Joyce's contest with this unique write my friend.. so happy to share the winners circle with u luv..
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Date: 2/28/2011 4:31:00 AM
how endearing! congrast for the winning laurels, carrie.. tops! :) huggs
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Date: 2/27/2011 11:08:00 PM
Carrie, you chose well, This is the type of poetry Joyce loves (rhyme) and you did it wonderfully!! Congratulations.
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Date: 7/19/2010 11:37:00 AM
Congratulations Carrie on your well deserved win in Deborah Guzzi's contest "Magical Mystical Numbers". Love, Carol
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12
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