ONE LAST MELODY

Aging, cold, sudden

ONE LAST MELODY

Her fingers freeze like icicles hang from the roof

spirit wreaks from cold and damp

frigid gusts whip around her shawl

The old piano collects dust

layers of gray webs multiply over the years

as her core shrivels with age

music that used to echo off the walls

light up the house

silent now that fingers cannot touch the keys

not even the ghostly

 

She sits in her rocker

warms her hands by the pot belly stove

still no melt of broken joints

all she wishes is to play her piano symphony 

she looks to the moon’s smile in dark

and asks for some earthly to help her

thaw her useless hands

 

Day’s pass, afraid she will lose them

alas, a knock on her door

she bids this person to enter

a lone man, shakes snow from his tattered coat

steps in, sits at the dusty piano and plays her melodies

she smiles, over taken by delight, pleasure of yesteryear

she slips into a coma, to her death

 

 

Reviews

[albee]

The knock on the door, frigid man shakes off his ice, plays the tune …”Oh Death” to console the old, infirmed, and suffering.

I savor death poems.thank you.

[Betty Hermelee]

Sometimes I do too, as it will happen to all of us at some time.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Betty... somehow your poem is beautiful to me--
as I myself am going through a metamorphous that needs a
musical visitor to appear. Once after an Operation, when I was
healing in a Room where sunshine came through the windows--
a Vision of pastel lights floated around the Room. I feel there is
so much more to Heaven and Earth than we can ever Imagine. truly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

thanks for lovely review, as always
It's it's special to die with a smile on your face;
Best, B.

[alanwgraham]

Great idea Betty. I've just had one of these significant birthdays and I'm not saying which but it's one that makes you think of things undone. Funnily enough I have a sax
and a fiddle that have both been gathering dust so I can identify with your story. You have lots of great images to bring your tale to life.
Well done for this.
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

Even insignificant birthdays should be celebrated! Thank you Alan for your kind words 😊

[Paul Bell]

The last tune before you kick the bucket.
Everybody must have a last tune they want played before the taxman strips them bare.
I'll need to go away and have a think about that now.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks as always Paul, yes a pretty sad story, but we will all die, either with a smile or not....read moreThanks as always Paul, yes a pretty sad story, but we will all die, either with a smile or not....
Best, B

[mattavelli]

Hello, Betty! :)
Thats quite a story. Thanks for giving her the music.

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, she dies listening to her favorites....thanks Mat, always appreciate a well nice comment!
Best, B

[KeithMansfield]

An angel, in beggars garb, playing her off to the beyond. Love it.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Keith for visiting and reviewing my poem
Best, Betty

[Poetic Beauty]

In a dream state a wonderful vision before completely moving onto the next plane or for me that would be Heaven. This poem tells a sad tale that has a bright warm moment.

[Betty Hermelee]

yes the warmest are her last...listening to her own melodies...Thank K. appreciate it.
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

such a coldness that the winter of our lives does bring.
and hopefully there will be someone around to comfort us in our last moments and play that song for us when our body and mind are too frozen to do it for ourselves.

[Betty Hermelee]

That's our hope J. Thanks for you review
Best,B.

[John the Baptist]

Well, some poems are happy, and others, not so much. Here we have a portrait of one whom the years have overcome, one who was talented musically but now is unable to pursue that passion any longer. All she can do is hope for someone younger to present and allow her to experience vicariously that which she so enjoyed in happier times. Amazingly, someone does eventually come to play for her. It is just in time, for she slips into a coma and moves on shortly thereafter. It could have been worse.

[Betty Hermelee]

Right you are, at least she dies with a smile,
Thanks always John for your thoughtful reviews.
Best, B