Typewriter Rodeo: Learning a new instrument

Each week, the Standard reaches out to Austin’s Typewriter Rodeo for a custom poem on Texas topics.

By Sean PetrieOctober 11, 2024 2:13 pm, ,

Learning a new instrument

I am too old
You can’t teach a new dog
And all that
But still
Right-handed me
Is spending minutes, turning to hours
Trying to make each finger
Of my left hand
Move individually
For that’s what it takes
To make a C chord
Or even an E minor
On the guitar
Or hit multiple keys
In dual rhythm
On the piano
Or maybe I am stretching my lung power
Trying out the flute
Or whatever new music-maker
Has caught my fancy
And I want to stop
Give my fingers a rest
Go settle in to that show
I was watching
Check Instagram
But I don’t
I keep pushing
And, yes – there – for a flash
That was the note
The sound
Of moving forward
Of truly being
Alive

A photo of the typewritten poem on a torn half-sheet of light yellow paper.

typewriter rodeo logoTypewriter Rodeo airs each Friday on Texas Standard. Send us your ideas for a poem on Facebook or Twitter, or send us an email.

Typewriter Rodeo is also available anytime in podcast form.

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