To the Blind Man Playing
By Ta'lor Pinkston
I saw you midday,
Sitting on the old wooden park bench,
Between a tall oak tree and patches of uncut grass.
Your molasses skin was overpowered with the little curls of your short black hair.
The heat from the summer sun boiled inside your body,
Sending sweat through your eggshell-colored shirt down to your faded blue jeans.
Tiny drops seeped down your brow, landing beneath your dark sunglasses, covering your melted eyes.
I could hear your acoustic guitar; chords of depth from my open window.
Strumming the strings with your right hand, you rocked back and forth,
Humming along to the melody you played.
The old jazz tune was rich and vibrant,
Your true happiness was shown and shined through your rarely seen pearly whites.
You tapped your left foot repeatedly into the block pavement beneath your feet.
I swayed side to side, loving the rhythm in your hands and beats of your feet.
I could see the people gathering from all over the park as they listened to your playing.
Their interests were heightened when they saw you.
Nerves embedded your face.
You hated crowds.
You played for your restoration.
Many more began to gather closer; and slowly I heard your music begin to fade.
They moved close enough to touch.
You stopped instantly, but the music still trailed behind in our ears.
Applause and cheering filled the air.
Their smiles were wide and filled with joy,
But you did not smile.
You could feel their eyes on you.
Your head was tilted toward my window; I knew that you felt me watching.
You dropped your head, leaving a smirk with me only to see.
I hoped you knew I was smiling too.
Raising yourself from the bench slowly, you touched the back of the old ripped wood.
Feeling for your surroundings.
You turned away from their questions and comments
To only leave them guessing as to who you actually were.
Walking away, allowing your four senses to be your guide,
Eyes covered in your dark glasses,
You played all the way down North View Park,
Walking with your head held high.
The nerves were now gone.
I knew that you were walking with a smile. |
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