I paused from killing
When out of chaotic winds of war,
A piano stood, unscratched among the ashes.
Perfectly tuned, my fingers found a chord
Remembered for many years within my heart.
Returning, it flooded melody so clear,
Tears falling from my cheeks to keys…
Minor notes echoing as fears among
Shadows of the nearby trees.
Mozart, Shubert, Mendelssohn appeared,
Forgotten friends still vibrant in my ears.
Then the hated metronome insisted order be obeyed,
Tick/tock/tick/tock; left/right/left—
Marching as to war, obedience is restored.
Goodbye sweet instrument of peace….
Duty and love of country demand I go to war.
"Headwinds" ---Fred Turpin's Poetry Blog 