PRACTICING

On the sofa near where I sit
Dionísio is practicing,
learning a new piece of music
on the little guitar called a cavaquinho.
Over and over he plays the same phrase,
until he can call it his own
and move on.
Some people would find this annoying.
I am surprised to discover
that I find it a comfort.
I realize it reminds me of my father,
who sat in his little room
and tooted his bassoon
while I went about my business
of growing up.
Over and over he played the same phrases
and over the years I learned them too,
hearing those good sounds
of daddy at home
doing his work
and we were a family
or so it sounded.


© Ellen Azorin