An Ode to My Piano

Written for Sugar Cube's poetry mini-slam, round 5 of finals

Pounding my fists against your keys
You absorb the anger I feel inside
In raucous crashing tones!

How many times
Have you saved me
From the insanity inside?

I was eleven when you first
Came to me,
Softly, on a clear day
Of my youth.

We grew up together,
And I told you the
Secrets of my soul.

As I sob out my anguish
You calm me,
The cool hard ivory
Of your keys burns my fingers,

Leading them,
Guiding them,
Forcing them
To remember,

And in the silent midnight
Of my soul I find at last
The melodies of my heart.


*Featured in the Romance/Love newsletter, September 2010