I sold my cello for cash
To ask a woman
To rub me down
From top to toe
My aching bones
It was lonely
In the big city

She talked long
Questioned me
As her hands worked
Along my arms
To my fingertips
A tremelo 
Harmonic high
In her voice
Nerves sang to me

I dampened the sound
With my thoughts
Brave enough only
To dip my toes
In the Pacific
All my talk
Of ocean swimming 
Covered in oil
A slick, skipping
Up sand dunes
Watching boys
Kick balls around
I kicked a return
They applauded

Yes, always a backstop
Left, right, out
Fielding questions
Of life, loss, love
All of the above
My hall grieves
Emptiness of dominant 
Killer curves, gone
Instead halls are hallowed 
By eager eyes waiting 
For Ben and Jerry's 
To arrive on the doorstep 

Piano chords rise
Arpeggios to the sky
If I had it back
Could I play for you
Afterall that's gone
Between us?