En Guarde

In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language. - Thoreau

He first grabbed it like a mother reaches for a child.

Clutching his very lifeforce whilst he bowed and smiled.

He strummed its deep notes and struck a chord.

Like a rich, reverberating, en guarde sword.

Everyday, the melodies rang out.

Striking their targets with an undeniable clout.

He put his soul into it and wailed away.

Touching folks with rhythm and the joy to sway.

Always carrying it with him, near or far.

It was part of his essence, that fine guitar.

He held it through both the good times and bad.

Whether jamming happily or unexpectedly sad.

And so it continued that consummated way.

Each and every steadfast day.

It was like a licit drug.

As long as they didn't pull his amplifier's plug.

It felt so good in his slow hand.

He even formed his own band.

Whether solo act or backup he plied his craft.

Both donor and recipient in a euphonic graft.

You see, the music didn't really belong to an instrument.

It was in his heart.

Like a six-string canvas for incredible art.

Picking and plucking, he let it rip.

Each gig embarking on an unprecedented trip.

He didn't play it for money, he played it for the way it sings.

He just loved making music and touching Heaven's profound strings.

Writing songs like a poet laureate and having his say.

Occasionally pausing to exclaim ...

... touché ...

Author's Note

"Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

A fine ode to Clapton and all the others. Certainly, you're singing my song. Every time I went aboard ship, I carried a heavy, stuffed-full sea bag in one hand and my guitar in the other. Yeah, you speak truly about your guy taking it with him everywhere. As screwed up as this world is, we still have the pure beauty of music.

[Pete]

amen to that Samuel. i couldn't survive without music. you must be carrying some experiences and memories with you in addition to that sea bag and guitar. thank you for relating ... :)

[andrew mitchell]

Nice writing Pete, without seeing the picture of Clapton I was thinking of Neil Young and his guitar and Rust never sleeps live. Music breathes life in us all.
nice writing and imagery too.

[Pete]

thanks andrew. i love music. actually i've been listening to neil lately and crosby, still, nash & young ... :)

[barleygirl]

Eric Clapton is one of my favorite guitarists of all time. I love watching him, not just listening to him, becuz (especially in his old age), he's so connected to his passion in all the ways you describe in this poem. There's nothing more inspiring for me than to watch any kind of artist fully engaged in creating his/her art (any medium) . . . even if it has nothing to do with the next thing I write, just the musical vibe sparks creative flight in my soul (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thank you for getting it Margie. remember to always keep a song in your heart, no matter what, my friend ... :)