»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #14
»
Honky Tonk Piano Man...repost for the mushy one
| Open Poetry #14 |
|
Honky Tonk Piano Man...repost for the mushy one |
|
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
|
I wound up in that little town just by pure chance that night, A tiny spot down Dixie way where folks still treat you right. I emptied out the camper of the products that I sell Then settled for a night's sleep in a nondescript motel. While finishing my toiletries, I thought I would, instead Go down to have a nice cold beer before I went to bed. I got directions from the clerk to find the local bar, Deciding I would walk there since it wasn't very far. When I was still a block away, I heard a wonderous sound That sent my spirits skyward and then gently brought them down. Piano chords, the likes of which I hadn't heard in years Were flowing from that tavern with its buck-a-bottle beers. Piano was my passion. I had studied with the best But, in the end, I lacked the skills to pass the final test. My passions did not dwindle, though. I still smiled with delight Whenever I heard sounds produced such as the ones that night. I entered through the side door and I mingled with the crowd. Inside the music seemed to be ridiculously loud. As I had passed the doorway, there had been a small marquee, THE HONKY TONK PIANO MAN FROM MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. Two guitar pickers were on stage - a fiddle player, too, A drummer so darned small he almost disappeared from view, And, right up front at center stage, for all the crowd to see... The honky tonk piano man from Memphis, Tennessee. His fingers flew like lightning, gliding up and down the keys. The toughest hand manipulations he performed with ease And, all the while, a big smile grew and shot from ear to ear. He waved out to the rowdy crowd and chuckled at their cheer. I sat, in abject fascination, watching as he played, My senses overloaded at the talent he displayed. Yet he performed as though it were a simple thing to do. My head was getting dizzy at the way his fingers flew. Then, as I watched, it hit me. I had seen those hands before! Performing off in London - Copenhagen - Singapore! This man had been the great pianist Johnathon LeGree, This honky tonk piano man from Memphis, Tennessee. LeGree had been the best there was, receiving great acclaim. His destiny had been assured, as had his wealth and fame. But then, one day, he walked away and disappeared from sight To show up in this tavern playing honky tonk at night. The evening show now ended and I saw him in the crowd. They clapped his back and mussed his hair and called his name out loud. A waitress handed him a box of chicken - southern fried. I hurried to catch up to him and followed him outside. He sauntered to a pick-up truck. I called, "Mr. Legree!" He smiled and said, "I see my past is catching up with me. You wonder what I'm doing here - why I am not the rage Of Europe and America, up there on center stage." "Well, yes", I stammered nervously. "I mean, you had it all. Your star rose like a meteor and then you let it fall. How could you let it slip away is what I can't digest. Of all the masters of the keys, you were considered best." "I had it all? I still do, son." He smiled quite happily. "I've got my truck. I've got my friends and got my family. I've got my music every night to keep me nice and warm. I love to play piano. I just don't like to perform." "So tell the tails and bluehairs that old Johnny says hello. I'd like to keep on talking but I really have to go. The chicken's getting cold. My wife is waiting up, you see, But, friend," he smiled, "I thank you much for recognizing me." With those last words he smiled and climbed up in his pick-up truck And, as he pulled away, I heard him say he wished me luck. I watched the best pianist in the world drive round the bend And, as the headlights disappeared, I said, "You, too, my friend." I do get asked quite frequently who I think is the best Of all the great pianists, who is better than the rest. They always think I'm joking when I answer, smilingly, A honky tonk piano man in Memphis, Tennessee. |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Ah...one of your best sir! I could hear the music..... |
||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ You know that I greatly enjoyed this one and smile with joy to see you post it so that some of the new members can see just how wonderful you are. We try to tell 'em ! Now you keep bringing 'em out of the archives ... and continue to prove us RIGHT ! LOVE THIS ONE ! MushyOne will love it too ! *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
His fingers flew like lightning, gliding up and down the keys. The toughest hand manipulations he performed with ease And, all the while, a big smile grew and shot from ear to ear. He waved out to the rowdy crowd and chuckled at their cheer. I sat, in abject fascination, watching as he played, My senses overloaded at the talent he displayed. Yet he performed as though it were a simple thing to do. My head was getting dizzy at the way his fingers flew. ======================== I was thinking as I read this...that these verses could be turned around to describe you and the magic you work on computer keys...writing these gifts of cadence and coolness... and we get to read the songs of life you sing thru your pen... and to you I say... PLAY IT AGAIN SPAM   |
||
|
vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Balladeer- ah yes...i'm liking this one a bunch! i second marge...keep bringin' 'em back from the archives for those of us who missed them the first time around.  hugs, ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his |
||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh you know I am going to be back! See you later! lol "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
||
|
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Hey Balladeer I'm with you all the way on this one........Of course everybody knows how much I love this kind of thing........wonderful story and so well told!.......see you in the studio! |
||
|
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
No question about it sweet poet ... the way you weave a story just sends me off into a whole other world with the wonderful cast of characters you present so vividly. Excellent, simply excellent! Best wishes, /Kit |
||
|
Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
I know Mushy will love it...in fact, I think I'm off to tell her now....she will be beside herself if she found out later that this one slipped away.... |
||
|
Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
'Deer dear heart, see how quickly I come to heel when I'm whistled for. Oh yes I love this one I absolutely love it. What do I always say that out of the archives comes utter magic. Thank you so much You are absolutely terrific and this is supreme. This is another one that I haven't yet got to. It won't stop me seeking it out of course but I really love it. Okay keep them coming, (if I smile and ask very nicely ) and I promise if anyone says "oh! no not again!" I'll take the blame. absolutely wonderful Take care love and warm stuff Mushy   Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
||
|
Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
I'm with mushy, love your reposts. Keep them coming please. Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... Feel free to use the pictures on my website. http://communities.msn.com/Titiasplace&naventryid=100 [This message has been edited by Titia Geertman (edited 06-26-2001).] |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well I am back! Leaning against the piano, and I just swear I saw Peter Pan fly by! Oh, what a story teller you are, and for that we are so grateful. Kept it withthe others until your book is published? Thanks my little story-telling sweetie pie! "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Poet deVine...then I succeeded..thank you Marge...well, I'll try one more...thanks for the kind words, m'lady...and I DO mean lady!!! JanetMarie...cadence and coolness...I LOVE it!!  LOL@ play it again, Spam vicky....I'm very glad you enjoy them....thank you!!! ethome....Deal! See you there!!! kit...any world you are in is a wonderful place...thank you, deer friend decaflame...seek out that woman!!! Mushy...I'm so glad you like them...as encouraging as you are and such a supporter you are of the site....I'm very happy to do it...it is I who thank you titia...thank you so much...I'm very happy to bring them back for people like you...I thank you Mysteria...you can't have any idea how long it's been since I've been called sweetie pie...I'll take it!!!! Many thanks to you, sweet person |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
