Nocturne

It feels like rain today

clouds gather at the edge of the afternoon.

We’re standing awkwardly before shuffling in,

that old smell of glitter & glue, young boys sweat.

Dads shush the young ones,

mom stuffs her purse beneath the folding chair.

Outside the wind is rustling in the corners

like an anxious child.

And in the next silence you begin.

Imagine hearing Chopin play his nocturne for

the first time.

The lords & ladies in the court

all held their breath at

the sight of you.

First, I fell in love with your hands,

your fingers barely touch the keys,

bent over in a curve of concentration

your eyes seeing

something only you could see.

Fat raindrops fall on the dusty windows

washing away our sins in this holy moment.

Afternoon turns to evening

It may rain tonight, people are saying,

looking up at the sky.

Rushing the kids to the car, let’s go!

We drift off into the night.

That’s a lifetime ago, now I just close my eyes

and lean into the night

straining to hear the nocturne

I heard so long ago.

Another storm is gathering,

I can feel it,

rain is coming in from the east.

I would reach out to touch you if I could,

feel your hair again.

Your hands in mine,

Our fingers entwined,

playing out the notes of the nocturne

as though for the very first time.

Keeping us safe.

Hearing the wind shuffle our fates

as the evening sky finally turns to rain.