Papa Whistles Symphonies
the rare art of listening
My father was a poor Brooklyn boy
Who could whistle symphonies.
Having had nothing,
He gave me everything
Which is to say,
Music.
I practiced Mozart on our new upright
In a bay window alcove
With a view of a hedge.
My father read the NY Times
Holding it aloft
A paper sail catching melodies
Which is to say,
He listened.
At 4 o’clock on Fridays
A patient teacher with knobby fingers
Taught mine to fly across the keys
I played Solfegietto until my fingers caught fire
Fur Elise until I wept
Which is to say,
My feet finally reached the pedals.
At fifteen I entered competitions
Collected little medals in a shiny black box
Skipped school to practice
Picked a dream bigger than a lifetime
Which is to say,
Being a musician.
For twenty years I toured the world
Eventually, I too learned to listen
Music said
Don’t push the tempo until it breaks
Which is to say,
I let myself fall in love with a composer.
We made our world a sanctuary
Raised musical children
Kept the dream alive.
Music said, find the space between the notes
Take comfort and rest a little
Which is to say,
No one will realize you’re missing.
After three quarters of a century
My father unzipped the universe
And left by the back kitchen door.
I framed the sketch of an eagle he penciled
on the front page margin of the Times
And placed it on our old upright piano.
Which is to say,
If I listen
I can still hear him whistling along
as I practice
In the bay window
Now, with a view of a forest.
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About the Creator
Wendy Musk
Creative curriculum designer/ Director, Shakespeare Repertory/ Author:"Writing By Heart"; "Word Market"; "Global Game". Flutist/ recording artist. Forever student, word lover.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Comments (6)
Really good poem, I love how you talked about something people perceive as common.
Wonderful tribute. I felt deeper emotion with this than the winners.
This is a spectacular piece. Such a lovely, moving tribute to your father and a legacy at the same time. Congratulations on the win!
Like reading butterfly wings on a page. You captured the aching memories and followed the thread full circle in a way very few can artfully express. Beautifully done. Congratulations on placing Runner Up in the Uncommon Challenge. ❤️'d and subscribed. :)
Nicely done. congrats.
Loved this! Especially the imagery of the paper catching melodies. Wow!