The plaster in Rick’s place was always flaking near the doorway,
eaten away by damp heat and cheap tobacco smoke
that hung like dirty lace off the cedar joists.
Back in the corner sat a stunted, yellowed box—
a five-octave upright slapped with salmon and faded gold,
its pedals worn down to raw, scuffed brass.
It wasn’t built for concert halls. Just a pine-cased crate
that smelled of spilled Cointreau and stale olive brine.
Heavy teak doors kept the street noise out,
but couldn’t block the shuffle of black-market transit papers
passing under the low oil lamps.
Then Sam laid his knuckles on the keys,
cracked ivory, half-sticking from the salt air,
and the room went dead quiet.
She stood in the entry, silk coat catching the light,
asking for that song from Paris
before the tanks rolled in.
Rick didn't yell. He just stopped dead in his tracks,
watching the smoke curl off his cigarette
where it rested on the edge of the wood.
“Play it,” he muttered, his voice flat as gravel,
and the little wooden box gave up the only thing it had left.
Before me, I lay out the piano keys.
Step on them all.
My tone, my dream, my hope—
Trample them all.
Surrendering this body upon the keys,
I will make my voice heard to you!
Glaring blues on night window,
Flute and piano bearing glow,
Crickets chirp a music slow,
Outside nocturne flow.
When does the sand stop the shark?
When will I understand the
simplest song?
Why do the heavy heaves
of my (core of a nut
in the pit of this) heart
respond to piano?
Do I always fantasize
about lost romance
played to music?
Helen Jane Long
isn't making the air beautiful tonight
just for me
But, thankfully for me tonight,
she helped me reignite
my own self-beauty, and sight
Piano, how we shared
Past playing memories
Pray you remember me
Practicing endless hours
Playing your keys again-
Please let me recall how.
is taking longer than I thought
as I play by pressing keys
to keep unfaltering time
with the chords
of the pressing keys
of the piano in me
I am still playing
atop the ocean,
mastering waves,
mastering music
mastering God
Across the Atlantic
is sure to be
the home
the woman in me
was meant to see
Limericks not rude
Can I write a limerick not rude
Deep down I'm really a prude
limerick is done
compiling was fun
Oops! Been writing whilst I am nude
I Can
A gentle young Austrian fellow
Played both piano and cello
both instruments antique
his talent unique
Produced tones so calming and mellow
her fingers glide
across the waking piano
morning notes rise
soft as dawn’s breath
the day begins singing
Quirkyalone Day we sat monitering the telly
alone on a Valintines Day had
never been such a chore
Freinds gathered to watch the game and to watch the
fyter-folly bout. They wrested, grappled and boxed.
The karate was sporty, I enjoyed the catch as catch can aspect of the thing myself.
We ate quail and wildrice. Strawberry crumples( suger cookies wrapped with nuts, cream cheese and jam with a fruit)
with wine and icecream. We made a Sporting jesture
from loniliness.
What a grand day my freinds. Bravo to our worthiness!
Come September,
I remember
Pete's piano.
Seventy-eight -
year that went straight
into my soul.
Eighty-eight keys
played Mussorsky’s
brooding rondo.
Why did he go
so long ago -
Pete's piano.
Soothing smooth introductory
Mello tender rhythm
Accompaniment with the cello
Suddenly a Dramatic ivory rose in tempo sensory
Portraying days becoming harder to live
Nights offering promise and purpose
Hope rose to cope
Stars twinkle for tomorrow
Embrace and live for today
Struggles can be hard to bear
The Piano and cello captivated together in their own message of life with care
It was beyond compare
Today became a new day
Yesterday being a preparation
Lessons learned through the Piano and Cello
Have no more tears and fears
Step out among the skies
Understanding being wise
Finale with an honor
Upbeat appreciation
Every footstep easy to walk on
Horizon that seemed far was now close
Piano and Cell bringing compelling courage to stand fulfilling the remainder
Formation of Heaven’s watch.
Elegance in shine
Glisten in beauty
Beyond Steinway & Sons
Music tone smooth
The ivory sounds all their own
Inspired rhythm
Vibes energized
Accents the mind
Puts a smile on faces
Divine, Superior and embrace
Assured with true applause
Offering encouragement
Note messages transcending
Musical notes more than just pages
Entertainment amazes
Golden piano of richness of wealth
Distinction and presentation
Being the best all it’s worth
Horizontal from Earth to Heaven
Reaching new heights
Golden charm
Withholding from within.
Floating on a gentle breeze
I heard it call my name
Beckoning me closer
to the window whence it came
It worked its magic through the air
as other sounds all ceased
A strange hypnotic message
every note, another feast
The tune repeated daily
in my head throughout the week
Each note, described a feeling
together, they did speak
And when she stroked the keys again
they traveled a new trail
Good or bad or happy
Solo piano told the tale
Vision of sunrises and sunsets
Tomorrows uncertain
When alone not alone
The skies watch and observe
Life throws curve balls
Complexity at its finest
Standing in courage for the challenge
Battle mark ready
Tears may fall in the process
Victory comes in the after
Mello breezes
Rhythmical sounds in the distance
Take a little time and just reflect
Silence is peace
Feel at ease
Comfort zone
Piano notes dramatically, but soothe in the aftermath.
At dusky dawn
a scamper of paws
resounds on parquet
and marbled halls.
The Obermeier tinkles
ancient ivory vibrates
in a concerto
of feline chords.
Soprano meows contend
with the garden quartet
of iridescent birds
rapt joyously
in kingly melodies.
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