Recital: Katie With a K

Expectation rushes in As her silent walk begins. All eyes staring, Watching for a hint of emotion, But none revealed, As she takes her place among the muses. No one breathes as her studious eyes Examine the two-dimensional codes. Then silence breaks, As both hands spring into fantastical dance On an ever changing ivory and ebony stage. Mellifluous tones, conspicuously full and rich, Transport all on an uplifting emotional journey, Ears, minds, hearts and lungs Feasting on delicious pabulum of spirit. Soon tortuous movements diminish. The fantastical dance declines. With final notes Striking harmonious chords Deep into our psyche, Our ethereal journey ends, And we gently land where we began. She pauses, then rises To a cacophony of applause, All eyes staring, Watching for a hint of emotion as she exits, But none revealed, Save a quick glance & brief smile Acknowledging her proud parent's pounding hearts, Misting eyes and beaming faces. *** September 18, 2020 EoW (2) MUSIC Brian Strand, sponsor *** Poetry notes: A friend's daughter was going to give her first piano recital and my wife and I were invited. I had never been to a piano recital before, so it was a very interesting experience. She was age 11 or 12 at the time, and there were other young players giving their recitals too. When it came time for her to come out we were all super-nervous. She came out cool as a cucumber, and her playing was excellent. I wrote this poem for her within a few days after the recital. I originally titled it "Katie With a K" after her first name. Years later I changed it to "Recital."