The Old Piano Player

The old piano player tapped a tune but none could tell,

His hands were stiff and frozen, eyes stared into hell.

Tears fell from his cheek bones disappearing in his sweat,

As the lyrics told the story of the demons he had met.


Oh, he played with such emotion, his raspy voice sincere,

Yet the crowd paid no attention to the music in their ear.

They were there for drinks and laughter, forgetting for a while.

While the old piano player sang away his life's last mile.


There were countless roads he'd traveled, with companions now and then.

Fortunes gained, treasures lost to iniquities great den.

Many gods had been before him, he embraced them one by one.

Weaving webs that he had crawled on, now the last was being spun.


Still, the good crowd didn't hear him, as he sang into the night.

Life limped slowly through the rhythm, when the end came into sight.

Then, someone touched his shoulder. "Play a song we know," he said.

And the old piano player, fell upon the keys --- quite dead.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

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

Buck Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Robert: You never let us down. Thanks again for sharing your talent with all of us on the soup. oldbuck
Sweatt Avatar
April 22, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Hey Robert I just saw your poem right now and it was amazing!! Great poem with lots of love and support, Daniel.
Nehls Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 5:52 AM
I appreciate your comments, Daniel.
Ashley Avatar
December 24, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Robert, a brilliant and captivating write! The 'old piano player' had much experience and emotion to share, but was ignored by those who took him for granted and didn't care.. An intriguing, thought-provoking and beautifully expressed poem. Enjoyed.. warmest wishes ~Susan
Nehls Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 5:51 AM
Thank you so much, Susan.
Hay Avatar
March 13, 2017 at 8:51 AM
A sad tale this but so well written, often people are caught up in their own things they are unaware of their surroundings. Well done, warm regards, Laura.
Nehls Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 8:06 AM
Hi Laura. Nice of you to stop by and read this one. I'm glad you liked it. This was mostly a true tale of an entertainer I once saw in Butte, Montana. All was true except he didn't fall dead, not that night, anyway. Thanks for the comments. Have a wonderful day...... Robert.
Terry Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Hello Robert. You were kind enough to comment on a couple of my poems which brought you to my attention. I wanted to check out this, your first posted poem. Your work is very insightful. Can't wait to read more. It will be great to get to know you through your poetry. Hugs. :) Janece
Nehls Avatar
October 16, 2015 at 6:24 AM
Hi Janece. Thanks for reading this poem and I appreciate your comment. I will also be reading more of yours and look forward to the correspondence. Have a wonderful day my friend.... Robert.
Chircop Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Sometimes We take te piano player forgranted,till the music stops and We taste the sourness of silence.These verses touched my heart.
Nehls Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 10:21 AM
I'm happy you were touched by this poem, Charmaine. The sourness of silence is a great line, my friend. Bless you.... Robert.
A   Avatar
July 23, 2014 at 4:58 PM
Robert, thanks... PD
Gibson Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 6:42 PM
Robert, this is stunning. I don't know how I missed it. So glad you entered it...it should be a #1. Congratulations.
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 11:03 PM
Thanks so much, Faye. Happy you enjoyed it and thanks for the #1.... Robert.
Callus Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 7:01 AM
A 7 rating for this write, Robert! I enjoyed it immensely. We try to pass on what we have learned from hard experience, but not many are willing to listen. Congrats on a deserved win! // paul
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 11:01 PM
Thanks so much, Paul. Glad you liked it. Congrats to you also.... Robert.
A. Sharma Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 5:24 AM
Magnificent write Robert! Congrats on huge win!
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:59 PM
Thanks so much, Dr. Sharma .... Robert.
Lindley Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Great write and great win!! I had a 19 year old friend back in 1977, playing for the top money in the final round 9-ball tournament. He broke the rack and fell back dead. He had taken too much speed. True story..
Lindley Avatar
July 14, 2014 at 3:16 PM
Never written about it although it had a pronounced affect upon my young life. To see a strong healthy young man dropped dead like that!
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Tragic tale, Robert. Have you written a poem on that? Congrats to you too, my friend..... Robert.
Nance Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 3:37 PM
Glad to see this on the winners list, I enjoyed it every time I read it :)
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Thanks, Casarah, and nice to see you on the winners list too...... Robert.
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Smith Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 2:47 PM
I love this Robert...I had a friend, guitar player, who was dying of throat cancer play up until his final days...You would never know in was in so much pain.While he was playing he always had a huge smile...Congrats my friend
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Thanks, Tim. People like that are happiest when they are playing. It's their life, my friend.... Robert
Smith Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 12:51 PM
So sad, yet beautifully written.. Congrats on a great win, Robert. Hugs.. Arlene
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:48 PM
Thanks Arlene. Congrats to you also.... Robert.
A   Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Hello Robert, :) Congratulations, on your fine win. Thanks for the support :) Enjoy my latest blog ""A True Friend"" if you'd like.... Love Linda
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Thanks, Linda, for the placement in the contest. Love, Robert.
Carrillo Avatar
June 27, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Your first poem is great. I loved it. I once met an old piano player. He was really good, he played Strangers in The Night. The man was blind. May I welcome you to poetry Soup. I hope you find many friends here... Lucilla
Nehls Avatar
June 27, 2014 at 6:37 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome, Lucilla. The Soup is a great place to be and I have been finding many friends here, my friend. I'm am going to read some of you poems soon.... Rbert.
Nehls Avatar
June 19, 2014 at 10:07 PM
Thanks for taking a look a my poetry, Arthur. I like that comment. Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping because now I will read your poems which I find to be very good.... Robert.
Vaso Avatar
June 19, 2014 at 9:35 PM
Absolutely amazing write!!!! A7
Nehls Avatar
July 11, 2014 at 11:12 PM
Guess I missed this one, Arthur. Thanks for the 7 my friend..... Robert.
Curtis Avatar
June 12, 2014 at 4:49 PM
Robert, Although I don't always comment, I read and like all your poems, you are one of my favorites. I hope I don't end up face down on my keys anytime soon, Lol
Nehls Avatar
June 12, 2014 at 7:18 PM
Hi, Jerry. Thanks so much for your comments. It does my heart good to hear that. Ya, I hope you're tapping away at those keys for many years to come. Friends in verse.... Robert.
Nance Avatar
June 4, 2014 at 3:27 PM
That was quite a story, playing til his end. I feel sympathy for the man. singing out his soul, while no one cares. The meaning to this is beyond your words, and the ending painfully abrupt, but that is how it is with life. Well done.
Nehls Avatar
June 5, 2014 at 5:01 AM
Thank you so much for the comments and insight, Casarah. I do take to heart you words and encouragement. Robert
Mehta Avatar
June 2, 2014 at 5:22 AM
Enjoyed the write. congrats on your poem being featured this week,
Nehls Avatar
June 2, 2014 at 5:25 PM
Thanks very much Dr. Ram. I'm not sure how a poem gets featured but it was a pleasant surprise. Your kind words are well taken. Robert
Dietrich Avatar
May 29, 2014 at 10:06 PM
wow, this really makes quite an impact by the way you ended it. Such a tragic tale you wove. It made me angry thinking about the people laughing as he played. As a teacher, I experience this feeling when I am telling my students a little tidbit from my youth. The mature students listen. The young ones could not care less. It is a sad feeling. Good to see you here at Soup.
Nehls Avatar
June 2, 2014 at 5:28 PM
Hi Andrea. Thanks for your comments and insight. comments from you are always welcome. Friends in verse. Robert
Andresen Avatar
May 29, 2014 at 12:30 PM
- Warm welcome to PoetrySoup, Robert :) - I choose your first written rhyme poem - Well done !! - Nice to meet you :) - Hope you will be satisfied with our "soup family" - we are many .. but has plenty of room for you too- PoetrySoup Rule1: Be kind and keep PoetrySoup a haven. PoetrySoup is a drama free zone(Comment on the poetry of others and they will comment on yours.) Thank you posted your words and thoughts here, I want to come back to read more another day. - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Nehls Avatar
June 2, 2014 at 5:30 PM
Thank you so much Anne for the warm welcome. I have been reading some of your poetry and enjoy them very much. Robert
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