The Guitar Player

Greasy hair under his baseball cap,
day-old stubble on his double chin,
he picks away on his Gibson guitar,
eyes half shut easing the guilt 
of leaving his family behind.

Miles of road ahead of him,
rain hits the windows of the tour bus,
he's seen them all----the farmlands,
mountains, deserts, woodlands 
and skyscraper cities.

Booze and smoke cloud his brain,
he can't remember when he had a 
home-cooked meal last,
he's played in all the honky-tonk dives  
from here to there where he still 
smiles at the pretty women who
give him the eye cause they love his 
music and masculinity,
he's the guitar player.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gauthier Avatar
March 2, 2018 at 8:38 PM
That is an eyeful, Sonia. I have to chuckle because I wrote a poem a couple of days ago about wondering what a musician's life was like. I have the answer right here. Not that pretty! Thanks for sharing, Sonia. Congrats on your fine win.
Walker Avatar
March 2, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Line, what we think might be a glamorous life while on the road as an entertainer proves to be just the opposite, stale and full of cigarette smoke. Thank you do your uplifting comment. Have a great weekend. ~ Sonia
Zerlaut Avatar
July 2, 2016 at 12:51 PM
The Guitarist and lead singer of "The Band", Robbie Robertson once said that fame and musicianship is an impossible way of life and that "The road has taken a lot of the great ones". I see a lot of that haunting reality in your Prose. And all the beautiful women in the world can't make up for that empty, lonely feeling of missing home. Great Read/Great Write!
Zerlaut Avatar
July 28, 2016 at 8:19 PM
In response to your reply, I agree, comments and acceptance of our work makes or breaks a day. I posted in five contests, four of which my poem didn't make the cut. It can weigh on us, but you need to know your work is good, because it is exactly that.
Walker Avatar
July 2, 2016 at 1:32 PM
Jesse, wow, your review just made my day! One of my other poems just got rejected for a contest I recently entered. Our egos are certainly fragile when it comes to our writing. Thank you for reading my poem and your encouraging comment. ~ Sonia
Jones Avatar
April 9, 2016 at 12:20 AM
Loved it! Thank you for sharing such a fine piece of art. I look forward to reading more.
Walker Avatar
April 9, 2016 at 12:56 AM
Mike, thanks for your uplifting review. Have a great Saturday. ~ Sonia
Andresen Avatar
April 6, 2016 at 2:31 PM
- Beautifully written, for someone who was close to your heart Sonia - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Walker Avatar
April 6, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Anne Lise, thank you for sensitive comment. All the best, Sonia.
Bradfield Avatar
April 6, 2016 at 2:10 PM
The first one of yours I've read and I love it. I look forward to reading them all!!..
Bradfield Avatar
April 6, 2016 at 4:52 PM
Yes..it feels like almost the passing of an era. Waylon and Merle and now Willie's getting close..
Walker Avatar
April 6, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Larry, thanks for your enthusiastic review. There is some irony to the timing of entering this poem late last night onto 'PoetrySoup' since one of my favorite country-western singers passed away today----Merle Haggard. ~ Sonia
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace