MUSIC LESSON

We turn back the clocks
a minute on the metronome
to what was once orthodox
at arms length
of music's holy grail
to hear the strength
of our hands on
our piano and jazz violin
as the music lesson rings out.

Years later
from aunt's grand opera box
we remembered our demanded
augmented scales
once played on her spinet
as her church voice sings
a leitmotif melody chord
to take to its limits of pings.

The critic Di mato trusts
his cleft measured votes
and we are assured by our guest
the blessed impresario
to take his quotes home
who will listen, yearn, search
for our notes and strings
with choice con brio
and keep others guessing
for a minuet and trio.