watching his fine fingers
massage ivory and ebony
I tell him about the
world of words
which I adore and abhor

he holds on to all 
my comments
c a r e f u l l y
treating everything
I say like a priceless treasure

I am delighted
he tells me
to visit
you in your
dreams

his music--
angular motifs,
direct motivation--
he behaves like he
belongs behind my eyes

For the musical response to this poem, click here.

when, he asks
never, say I
why, he growls
because, I reply

come on, he says
no, say I
whatever, he shrugs
yes, I reply

Yes? He smiles
yes, say I
when, he asks
never, I reply