Yamaha

I was 14

37 years ago

cardboard box of anticipated potential

orange/brown classic shape

centuries old

nylon strings strung

over round opening

allowing vibrations

to sing across room

scratches and blemishes tell the stories of companionship

as it lived with me wherever I went

Gretna Winnipeg Landmark

places in between

cradling my lap

it sings the songs I learned

bird on the wire john henry suzanne wildwood flower

and the songs I made

and now mostly it hides in soft fuzzy cocoon

unless son or daughter take it out to teach it new

songs to sing

no matter

it’s always ready