Surrendering Up the Keys

Most people celebrate their life,
Reminiscing incredible years.
I celebrated on the piano,
Blessed with two incredible ears.

Seemed I could play most anything
The gift was heaven sent…
Joni Mitchell’s best, Beethoven,
Then with age,
the fingers bent.

First it was the Rudolf,
Then the old Steinway
Sold, fulfilling other’s dreams.
While my youth faded ‘way.

Evicted by time, I surrendered the keys,
Each closing eighty-eight doors,
Forever locking musical memories;
Trading space,
for just empty floors,

So incredible the human brain
The melody still lingers,
In my dreams, I still play on and on,
And love with crippled fingers.

All the doctors and the MRI’s
Say I need to “Get in line”
But through protective blinders,
I live in Nineteen Sixty-nine.

After all the medical advice,
Still the pianos had to go…
Now it is the blaring stereo
Recorded pasts, are all I know.