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Piano Lessons
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Piano Lessons |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thirty years have come and gone, since I graced the door, Of small white house, just south of town, a mile or so or more, I parked my car by once red barn, swallows in the eaves, Walked up to the latticed porch, on path through fallen leaves. Through unlocked door, I entered in, and stood in entry hall, A braided rug, threadbare and worn, lone picture on the wall, Was as if I'd never left, this house I'd grown to hate, Each Saturday, at three o'clock, you'd best be never late. I went into the music room, to gaze at her piano, It seemed so small, keys black and white, damned creature of my sorrow, Beside there sat, small rocking chair, white doily on the back, Yellowed by the sands of time, still covered weathered crack. I smelled the smell, remembered well, was clearly not the dust, It was the smell of lived forever, the scent of old maid's must, With one last gaze, I looked around, the small and tidy room, Standing there in contemplation, in silence of a tomb. Was time to go, I'd best be off, the funeral would be soon, I'd told them all, that I'd be back, well before high noon, I stopped a second at the door, as if I hoped to hear, The tinkling of the ivory keys, the scales I'd grown to fear. I never played piano well, I still don't to this day, The only sound, a creaking door, as slowly walked away. [This message has been edited by Mike (edited 03-06-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Tim, I can relate to this so well...I love playing the piano, but not the lessons I had or the teacher with bad breath. I really like this poem's tenderness. |
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poetFemmeFatale Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646Arkansas |
I liked the *tender* humor you used here in describing her things...made me smile.  Ah...the piano - I play, but to me it is a release just like my poetry...Maybe you just need a few more lessons?  You really wrote a nice piece here to describe *the damned creature!* LOL BTW, I like the style you used in this...it's different. Gives it that authentic *aged* mood you were wanting. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent writing, Mike! As always!! Denise |
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January Flowers Member
since 2000-02-01
Posts 209South Carolina |
Ahhhh! The piano. Another form of artistic release for many... and for the rest, NOT. I asked for a piano when I turned 12 (many moons ago). Little did I know that with my gift, came 7 years of dreaded lessons. Sigh. Loved your poem, Mike.  |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is astounding, my friend... You had me strolling through the rock formations that my sister and I used to pretend were our "house"... and wandering along that brook that we called "Clear Creek"... and visualizing the knotty pine walls and stone fireplace..... Hey - My brother still lives there - I think I'll go for a visit.....  |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mike - oh- Mike~ You brought memories flooding back to the heart of this lady. Visions of a mother saving her dimes so she could buy me a piano. When she had enough we all loaded in dad's pick-up and drove to pick it up. I can still remember the woman's face as mother paid her in dimes. Guess the only difference is that I loved my piano lessons and the teacher. Seventeen years later I drove my own daughter to that very house for piano lessons from the daughter of my teacher. Wow, talk about nostalgic ! You sure got me remembering a few great memories tonight! Thank you so much for this flip through the Rolodex of memories. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Mike...this is so sad in its own right, but so well written as usual. |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
This is what poetry is made of...memories, emotion, perceptions, creations...and so much more that you've pulled into and released from this treasure. Excellent writing, Mike...thank you. ~ Claire |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A finely tuned tale. I have often wondered how some made it thru those dreaded lessons. As life is some would love it and some grow to despise those lessons. James |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you all for the kind comments. I truly think I have enjoyed the comments to this poem as much as any I have written. (except for Martie's encounter with halitosis...lol) |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
This is such a sweet and haunting poem, Mike! Your descriptive style is wonderful! Corinne |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I always wanted to play the piano so much I never had sympathy for my friends complaining about their lessons... I was too envious! *G* This is wonderful, Mike... well done! |
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