Mark J. Halliday Poet Couplet

Notes About The Poem

For the Rotgut contest

Piano Player In Rotgut's Saloon

“Go west young man”, the neighbors said; but they wisely stayed at home.
From pianoforte to pianoforte, saloon to saloon, town to town I roam.
Surrounded by Phillistines, “soiled doves”, cowpokes, and dullards,
Gamblers, dealers, dance hall girls, and other assorted drunkards.
If a fellow’s feeling generous, he might leave something in my jar,
Or even offer me a drink of the “good stuff” behind the bar.
I guess my fortune can be made where folks are hot, dry, and thirsty,
Playing sad songs on old pianofortes that are musty, dusty, and rusty.
I grew up playing Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and Wagner.
The only songs these cretins know are all by Stephen Foster.
A gambler in a pink silk shirt once asked for a Franz Lizt tune.
I was so surprised, I fell off my chair, to the amusement of the room.
The “faded rose” smells like a horse, and looks the worse for wear.
But if a few more drovers buy me beers, I probably will not care.
If I should wake up next to her, I won’t know what to say.
But she’ll just pretend to be asleep as I quietly slip away.
Through hazes I might recognize a face; or maybe they all look the same.
But in town’s like Rotgut, last night’s best friend won’t remember your name.
I hope someday, somewhere I’ll find a good pianoforte in tune--
But that’s something I’ll probably never find in a one-street town saloon.
If they don’t happen to catch my name, “Eighty-Eight Fingers” will usually do;
That’s all any of them remembers anyway, after they’ve had a few.

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Robert Nehls July 30, 2014 at 1:32 AM This is a great story, Mark, and so well written. I would think, like Robert said, being a piano player was a dangerous profession back then. I did Karaoke in Montana for about 12 years and can surely relate. Pleasure to read, my friend.... Robert. Mark J. Halliday February 4, 2015 at 8:53 PM Belated thanks for commenting. Glad you liked it. Love karaoke--the first time I did it was in a military dining facility in Iraq.

Robert Lindley July 23, 2014 at 12:34 AM I love this take on it. Those piano players lived a dangerous life, stray bullets, jealous cowboys and temptations galore!!! Sending you a pm.. Mark J. Halliday July 23, 2014 at 9:30 AM You're right, there was a typo. Thanks. Glad you liked it.

Andrea Dietrich July 22, 2014 at 6:04 PM how cool that you chose this unique character to be. I think nobody else has done one like this. GREAT job. Mark J. Halliday July 23, 2014 at 9:31 AM Thanks. Glad you liked it. It was fun to work on. It reminded me of a scene from the film Tobmstone where Doc Holiday was playing a nocturne by Chopin.