By Sally Wahl Constain
Jacksonville Branch
Here they sit,
all dressed up,
with frozen poses
hung side by side
above the piano,
registering disapproving looks.
They are the ancestors.
I wonder if they are ever
just a little bit proud of me
or my poetry.
What can they be thinking?
And sometimes I wonder
what I will be thinking
one day when,
(who knows when?)
my picture is placed
next to theirs,
over the piano.
Love what you did with the concept of wanting some approval, acceptance from our forebears!!
thank you, Barbara, for responding to my poem. I appreciate your feedback.
Sally very descriptive and a bit eerie.
I think yours will be the photo in the
center of them all.
diane r-w
thanks, Diane,
appreciate your comment
I love this poem. It reminds me of my family. My 11-year old Great-granddaughter who received my own piano to practice her lessons. On the piano sits a picture of my own Mother, the first African American born in KY–here in Louisville to graduate in 1939 during the “Great Depression” and before WW2 from Indiana University’s world renown Jacob School of Music in Bloomington, IN. My great-granddaughter is playing classical music like my late Mom and plays like she wants to for the rest of her life–like Mom did playing at age 91 in CA before she passed the next month here at home. This poem is EXCELLENT! Mom’s picture is on the front cover of her amazing book I wrote myself.
Thank you so much, Charlene, for your thoughtful comment, and for sharing your family story. I’m glad my poem touched your heart. That is the best affirmation.
My mom, also, was a classical pianist. That talent skipped over me to my son, who has my mom’s baby grand in his home. He graduated from the High School for Music and Art in NYC. It’s so nice that your great-granddaughter has your mom’s passion for music.
My mom also passed away at age 91, with her music book open on her piano. She was a first generation American, and an early feminist and defender of human rights. I recently wrote a poem about voting in the upcoming election in memory of my mom. You might enjoy my novel, “The Keys to Fanny,” inspired by my grandmother’s stories. Please keep in touch. Look for my Facebook page or author’s page. Please tell my the title of your mom’s book.