The Bass Player

(for David)

Your left hand shows us what you know.
Don’t fret that you may come up short
in moments just before a show.
The wealth of all that you’ve been taught
will serve to guide you to your notes:
your ergonomic, floating thumb,
the patterns of your true technique,
your bridges crossed and battles won
have made your style your own..., unique.
Regarding all the other things
to which a player, time, devotes
to help the fingers fly on wings...,
your right hand shows us what you are:
pounding rhythms, plucked from heaven,
a lilting, dancing, shooting star,
filled with whimsy, self-expression,
balancing upon a string
without a worry of discordance.
Yes, right and left are so important
in the score of life... to sing.