The Death of a Song

when i realized it failed

i play note after note

and nothing

i tell my fingers to move slower... softer

and still... nothing

i beg my instrument to give me more notes

still... you don't move

i command the music to bow to my will

and it moves you not

so i play on...

my ears begin to ache---

i stand until my legs have forgotten

what movement is

the tips of my fingers are crimson

from the coursing blood that is binding them

to the instrument that i play

still no affect...

so i dig deeper---

cause i know somewhere,

i have what it takes to move you...

i am prepared to play this song

for as long as it takes you to come to me,

or til i can play it no more---

don't you remember this song?

we onced danced to it

you were easily romanced by it's notes

how could you now

be so immune to it's chorus---

this instrument i hold has aged,

but it still sounds good to me

so, why won't you move?

is it the song... my instrument---

is it... me

am i the blame?

please, just don't stand there

can't you here it?

this is OUR song...

why doesn't it move you anymore?

i am doing all that i can

to keep this song alive

but, no matter how loud i play

its as if this song is already dead to you

my instrument...

its beginning to crack under the pressure

so i grip it tighter

in an attempt to totally control it's chords

and make the song... listen to me

i'm trying so hard to make you listen

i know no longer recognize

the song that i play---

it's twisted notes are unfamiliar to my fingers

and alien to my ears

then it happens...

under the weight of my own obsession

the instrument shatters

and with it, dies the song that only we shared

it's notes forever lose--- remnants of a time

that is no longer present

but, how could this have come to pass?

i was told my instrument would survive anything

and could conquer all

so why has it failed me?

why now...

i refuse to believe that our song has ended

because without it, beauty is gone from me

and apathy now knows my name---

a song that was once so grand

is now cursed in memory...

it's notes haunting me till i welcome my final hour

how could i have been so absorbed by that song,

that i became numb to its purpose?

and i never noticed the moment...

you stopped listening

 

 

Author's Note

This piece was written at a very low point in my life. My ex-wife and i had seperated, this piece is a reflection of my thoughts during that period. Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

Where do songs go to die? Time life CD collections? Good poem.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Lol I think you may be right. They have all the great songs of yesteryear.

[Michael G. Smith]

Well depicted dramatic tragedy of a love that has gone. I can feel the agony of the writer as his analogy between life's love and not being able to play the song that once moved a heart. This is what poetry is about because even though the song did not move her the poem moved me.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Michael I am grateful it could affect you in such a way. I also thank you for breathing new life into this piece with your visit and outstanding review.

[Cleide Tatyana Almeida]

I just love how you get so personal with your work, not that I profit from your pain, terribly sorry for your separation and, clichéd as it will come off, remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....and this piece in itself is an incredible show of strength. It takes strength to transform such pain into a masterpiece and make the reader awash with pain and empathy. Your experiences are powerful, your words even more so. I absolutely loved this piece in a really I almost cried kind of way

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

We all in a way profit from the pain of our peers, just as we do their passion, triumphs, and failures. The gift is when those avenues sincerely reach others intimately... you've given me that gift with your words, thank you.

[Cleide Tatyana Almeida]

most welcome and thank you for sharing this gem

[Frieda P]

This one made my heart hurt, too many great lines to quote here....it's so difficult when we can no longer hear the lovely music we originally created together. Affecting read my friend.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Frieda... I'm glad this piece was able to reach you in such a way.

[Cassie]

This poem brought tears to my eyes, its so sad. The symbolism is good and unless you read to the end, you will not know what the writer is talking about. well written, the emotions well expressed. Sorry for the separation and soon you will have a new song to write about even if this has ended.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for those endearing words... I'm glad to know the piece reached you in such a way. I also appreciate that lovely sentiment.

[quinfinn]

this whole piece is a brilliant metaphor for love becoming unfamiliar and cold. you may color me duly impressed.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, my good friend. Your reviews always humble me.

[TL Boehm]

you stopped listening. Wow. That line just sealed the whole thing. An aching, transparent write. Beautiful and sad.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I appreciate your great review and your visit.

[ANTO]

We don't often realise that we are losing something until it is totally lost - did we take it for granted or did we change or did they change? And we are left with nothing but questions.
A story that has been told since the first 'relationship' broke up. But a story that needs telling for it is in the telling that we might....just might find some answers.
Well done and bravely written - you exposed your very being in this PH.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You are very right about that story... most of us have one to tell the world. I appreciate you taking time to read and connect with mine. Thank you, Anto for such a supportive review.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Wow, this is absolutely filled with painful emotion. I can see, hear and feel the echoes of loss and tragedy in this one. I really enjoyed the introduction of the instrument imagery in the beginning of the piece, because it blends so well with the overall concept. Sometimes we "play" and yet the sound comes out as something completely different from what we anticipated in our heads. Well written.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I appreciate your review and endearing words. This is one of my more personal pieces, my pen hand just hit the paper and ran. I'm glad to know it translates well to those who read it.

[Yellow Butterfly]

You have spilled your soul in this powerful and yes evidently painful write...and the power of your quill has been your driving force to help heal your heart....

Profound Write

YB

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, YB i appreciate your review and your kind words.

[Yellow Butterfly]

No probs.... your welcome...