Play
Deep bass undertones
punctuate melodies.
Guitars’ lead and rhythm
and incessant drum beat
speak to my imagination
after the President dies
in my youth.
I take in love songs like nectar,
and their harmonies reverberate
as I walk in a green park
with my older cousin,
and talk about Ringo’s charms
and how Paul sings to me.
The first sight carries through years
as their music changes.
I find passion in ballads, rock and roll
and the psychedelic chants.
Each single and each album
gives new reality.
New chords give new feeling
to lonely hearts.
Melodies elevate.
I remember playing Beatles,
holding hands to song,
hoping she loves me,
songs airy as a spring day
and romantic hopes ever-rising.
I imagine love
and play the songs of my generation,
and a day in my life
will never be the same.
—Mike
Bayles
