Piano . . . Softly Gone Away
Pianos disappeared. They evanesced
So silently we did not even know
That they were fading. Women acquiesced
In this demise and men let silence grow,
Or, rather, stereos and CDs filled
The space of ivory keys with black ones in
Between. Those lumbering machines were spilled
To nothingness and no one heard this sin.
It used to be a bride and groom required
An upright in their parlor—or a grand.
Both courters and the relatives all choired
Around. Affections were at keys’ command.
But now our living rooms are bare. Instead
Cloth speakers play. Our Steinway nights are dead.
Well yes, much truth to this. The family gathering around the piano to sing just doesn’t cut it anymore in our culture. And yes sadly our musical tastes and common knowledge have regressed as we listen les and less to “the masters” as a result of “dead Steinway nights”! However, I am not sure the 19th century practice of women competing for marriage marketability by their keyboard and vocal skills is a trend worth resurrecting.
I have a Steinway piano. I DO have Steinway nights…..by myself. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Having said all that? the poem evoked much thought about women and how they were property but also how we
as a culture have become less cultured so to speak! That is truly regrettable! But many will think I speak as a snobbish classical musician. But thanks for the thought provoking poem. As most poems are more powerful if they are….thought provoking! So thanks Phillip! bachbabe 🙂