Airport Piano Man [15 Words or Less Poems]

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.

Pianist Airport 15wol
Photo: Laura P. Salas

Hello, writer and educator friends. My life grows ever more intense (I really didn’t think that was possible), and I miss you guys!  

When Randy and I were at the airport a couple of weeks ago to meet Maddie as she came home to visit from Scotland, a traveler sat down at the piano (as invited by signage) and played something. I could barely hear the music, but the notes floated by in a lovely counterpoint to the announcements about not leaving bags unattended, etc. Despite some very hard moments this summer, I also have a whole collection of wonderful ones. Moments when family, or friends, or even strangers went out of their way to make the world, my world, our world, a more wonderful place. This image makes me think of:

  1. Charlotte’s Web (though I couldn’t tell you why)
  2. that feeling of being underwater…sort of separate from the world
  3. being lost in music or art

And here’s my first draft.  It doesn’t work at all without the image, and I feel like my poems this summer have all been so heavy and un-kid-friendly. But…that’s what is coming out. It is what it is.

airport piano 15wol 

Blanket statement for July/August. Hope you’re having a wonderful summer. Mine is overwhelmingly busy and emotional. When you Comment, I get an email, and I will be doing my best to read every poem you guys write. But my availability over the summer to comment on each poem will be limited. I hope you’ll write because you love it and enjoy this community. Please know I value your participation, even if I am not able to respond much this month.

It’s your turn! Have fun and stick to 15 WORDS OR LESS! (Title doesn’t count toward word count)

21 Responses

  1. MAKING A DIFFERENCE

    Amid the bustle
    and the rush,
    he played a song
    that brought a hush.

  2. I feel the need to give you a hug. Wish I could do it in person. I just want to let you and everyone here know that I am safe. There has been historic flooding in South Louisiana, but our house escaped by the hair of its chinny chin chin. So in my gratitude I want to write a poem.

    Piano Man

    He played
    only a moment–
    yet
    this is all
    we need to change
    a mood.

    1. Oh Margaret, so happy for you, but sending thoughts and prayers for all of those who are suffering. Such a tragedy in LA. Your poem says it all. Just a seed of hope will begin a rebirth.

  3. Laura, your thoughts on this image are perfect. Continued good wishes headed your way and a big shout out to you for your continued efforts on our behalf.

    Midas in Charge

    Spot o’ gold
    ‘mid black and white
    tunes the earth
    makes all things right.

  4. Play it again

    After his dulcet notes
    my feet
    were
    fleet.

    -jan godown annino

    Appreciations for this beautiful image & prompt, Laura.
    Hugs to you.

  5. I’m so glad that the wonderful moments of the summer are playing counterpoint to the difficult ones, Laura. I’ve been thinking of you.

    Musicians in the Marsh

    Rising from the still space
    between cattails
    and lilies

    a note
    a trill
    a song

    1. Buffy, hearing a note, trill and song from still space makes for beautiful music.

  6. Best wishes, Laura, for getting through everything.
    Your pictures often look like works of art. This one especially looks like a painting.

    Flight Delays

    Soothing music fills a need
    for frustrations to recede;
    pleasing our ears,
    relaxing our fears.

    1. Good therapy Pat. I don’t fly often these days but frustrations and fears are definitely a part of the journey.

  7. Love your poem, Laura, and the mood of this picture — the gift of time stopping to listen. Beautiful poems here today. You all make my Thursdays special.

    When the music stopped
    no one moved.
    Just for a moment
    strangers were friends.

  8. Especially loving your poems this week, friends. And, Margaret, SO glad for you that your house and family are safe!

  9. Loves Song

    You spoke
    I lessoned
    collecting
    timeless word
    sowing
    note- voices
    into sky pages
    life’s songs

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