The Baby Grand Piano

The Baby Grand Piano

With hope to someday find my rainbow,
I play Beethoven’s sonata on the baby grand piano-
My father stands over my shoulder with a whip.
As he chants along discordantly,
I listen to his eerie voice in the night.

My father’s neglect screams and
Stabs me with cruel and toxic words-
Last night he abruptly passed away.

My thoughts are spinning out of control-
As are Saturn’s rings amidst a vicious meteor shower.
I sing a classic solo-off key though gently-
As my hands search for the keys on the baby grand piano.

I am alone in the dark- as I dream,
I am playing Beethoven’s sonata on the baby grand piano,
While the back door to my mind’s prison is padlocked-
My thoughts are spinning out of control-

I play Beethoven’s sonata on the baby grand piano-
With utmost care but with trepidation-
I recall my father holding that whip above my shoulder-
I know he can still hear me as souls never die-

I hear my father’s wrathful vengeance-
I never promised him the world-
He never promised me a life-
I composed a song for him, alone-
I played for him on the baby grand piano-
He slighted me with his deriding smile.

I hear the lonesome screaming of the deceased
Rain is falling into a bloodbath. –
Where my father’s soul is inclined to exist-

I believe my soul shall live on,
As I keep on searching for rainbows in a fleeting moment.
I play a dirge for my father
On the baby grand piano,
In the darkness and without command.

Claudia Krizay