VOICES OF THE PAST

VOICES OF THE PAST

A Poem by Betty Hermelee
"

Prose poem

"
Our piano teacher's curt speech:
"Have you practiced every day?"
My sister and I giggle, fingers like jelly.
We bumble along each week
striking faulty notes.
Our teacher, mop of red hair, black -rimmed glasses
admonishes us for sloppy work.
She cautions her frustration elevates.


One day my sister and I do not return home
for our piano lessons.
Our mother, red-face, bulgy-eyes
rebukes us for inappropriate behavior.
She forces our practice, hovers over us
as we blunder the notes, water droplets
stream down our cheeks.
We beg to quit
as our tempers rage.
our red-headed be-speckled teacher
misses our next appointment!

© 2020 Betty Hermelee


My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Featured Review

This takes me back to piano lessons Betty and the same rising feeling - why? Eventually i won but in later years I knew it's worth. I took up fiddle and sax and how much easiest it was. I think the free flowing style perfect for this and you've caught it perfectly. One small thing - why not just tears instead of water drops?
I hope you have some of your travel writing here!
All the best.
ALan

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

This takes a lot of us back to our childhood musical follies ...some like it, some loathe it! Thanks.. read more



Reviews

Delightful post, Betty. Your narrative becomes all too real for me. I never should have signed up for piano lessons, I could play only when nobody was listening. Sad story. Your exposition comes alive with the imagery -- descriptives, child's play, intensity of the lessons, the giggles, and bumbling. Nice close, with the teacher missing the session. Good work -- the poem, not the lessons.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

Thanks so much, I was forced into piano and always resented it as a child; now I love it!
Nice way to SHOW, making a vivid strong point using storytelling. You use specific details, easy to picture, & with the "AH-HA!" factor, as far as childhood in general. Fortunately, I loved my guitar teacher. I can't remember being forced to do anything. I was an over-achiever & my parents urged me to slow down. But it's always good to be reminded how many experienced it. I wonder if "be-speckled" (next to last line) might be be-spectacled? Thanks for a bittersweet slice of life! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 5 Years Ago


Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

Thank mucho Marge, I hated to be forced to play, now I’m sorry that I forgot all the notes; yes, a.. read more
Ah, yes, the carefree, stress free days of childhood. The good old days.

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

I’m not so sure they were so good john... when you’re forced into it ... thanks always B
in my time of teaching private lessons to grade school and high school tennis players...i have found this...many are forced by parents to take the lessons, they have no heart in it, don't want to be there and have little to no motivation...
I think kids should follow their own interests....not their parents'----
I was lucky...was interested in lots of things as a kid, but was never pushed in any direction...
well, except Golf...and i ended up hating to play...

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

I was forced as a child... now I love it! Thanks always...
Yours, B
Predictive texting messed this Betty. I swear iI did type perfect.

Posted 5 Years Ago


This takes me back to piano lessons Betty and the same rising feeling - why? Eventually i won but in later years I knew it's worth. I took up fiddle and sax and how much easiest it was. I think the free flowing style perfect for this and you've caught it perfectly. One small thing - why not just tears instead of water drops?
I hope you have some of your travel writing here!
All the best.
ALan

Posted 5 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Betty Hermelee

4 Years Ago

This takes a lot of us back to our childhood musical follies ...some like it, some loathe it! Thanks.. read more

Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

78 Views
6 Reviews
Rating
Added on January 26, 2020
Last Updated on January 26, 2020

Author

Betty Hermelee
Betty Hermelee

Black Mountain, NC



About
My love of poetry results from my love of art. As a painter I am able to express myself on a canvas. As a poet my words come from my heart, my moods, sometimes sad, mostly upbeat. I like to use vivid .. more..

Writing