LOVE Poem: Accordion, by Brad Anderson

It was dark when he rose
Another morning, another day
His bones wailed complaints
Telling tales of their age

He lived alone now
She had passed years before
He boiled water for his tea
Gnawed stale bread, and cheese

The music was still in him
He knew he must play
It was lonely without her
His music brought her back

The day cold and windy
She would laugh against the cold
He longed for her sun
Busking, and thoughts of her

He looked in the mirror
Combed his white hair
Remembered a younger man
Mostly he remembered her

He locked the door as he left
A long walk lay ahead
He wanted to be early
To lay claim to his place

He carried his instrument,
A small folding chair,
And all he would need
To last him the day

Stone walls, waist high,
Lined the road on both sides
He had walked it with her
More times than he knew

With her he would run
He would dance down the road
Today was a journey
A long walk on old legs

When he got to the town
The shops were all open
He found his spot vacant
And set down his chair

He sat against the wall
And took out his instrument
The case he left open
On the ground just beside him

Like comfortable gloves
His hands found their place
His left found the buttons
His right found the keys

Tapping his foot
He squeezed the box gently
Notes filled the air
Head bowed, eyes closed

That’s when saw her
He knew she would come
She laughed and danced to his music
He played it for her

Passersby left him coins
They praised his sweet music
But he, never heard them
He was with someone else

He played until dark
Eyes closed, gently swaying
Never stopping to eat
Or leaving his place

When shops opened the next morning
They still heard him playing
The sun rose to his music
And a woman’s sweet laugh

That’s when they found him
Still in his chair
His foot had stopped tapping
His hands now lay still

He’d gone to be with her
To join her in dance
They danced with the sun
Music still in the air