My dances with Ivory

Deep Breath.

I’ve decided to take on a new challenge.  One that I never in my life imagined I’d have any interest. Because although I like a good challenge as far as sports or career opportunities, challenges in my “down time” normally frighten me away.  But see, I have this new passion.  This new passion called writing. And it compels me.  And inspires me. And drives me.

So I’m up for a challenge.

Meagan from Life Set To Words has put together a Creativity Boot Camp to run for the next two weeks.  I’ll be challenged (along with a group of most probably much more talented writers, photographers, poets, etc) to find my most creative self inspired by daily prompts.  We are all to chose a medium that we stick with for the two weeks.  (Does it say something that I had to look up what different “mediums” are? )  I’ve chosen Words as my medium since that’s where my excitement lies.

So wish me luck on this little journey.  If nothing else, I hope to have fun.

Our first prompt to kick us off on our bootcamp adventure is : IVORY

Thirty three years ago I found my first passion.

When my friends were soundly sleeping or slowly arising

With their cartoons and cereal.

I sat early in the morning

Hot chocolate perched beside me.

Pendulum swaying and clicking.

As I learned the beauty of the keys.

The piano keys.

Black and white to the common eye

Were full of color, whimsy and beauty to mine.

The aroma of raisin toast and coffee wafted from the kitchen.

The sounds of my mom quietly making lunches

As I played scales up the octaves.

Repeating verses over and over until precision rang true.

My short legs barely reached the pedals.

I had to move across the bench to reach notes

Out of reach for my small arms.

But my fingers spread naturally

To hit the right keys.

To dance along the surface

I had begun to love.

I was too young to understand Dedication.

It was too early to feel Devotion.

I played for others.

For my teacher.

For my parents.

For my neighbors who often praised my early morning serenades.

For my far in the future resume.

But not for me.

I was told I had talent

Through the many years of lessons and performances.

And although I had pride and love for the beauty of the music

I never thought it was For Me.

I now caress the Ivory of the keys when I visit the home

Where my beloved piano still sits.

And regret the time that has passed since my fingers

Skipped along those now simply black and white keys.

I can play the tunes of long ago without thought.

But cannot learn anything new as the notes now are unfamiliar

On paper.

But in my heart Mozart, Bach and Beethoven still sing.

And the thought of Ivory will always bring these years to mind

For Me.

And one day, I dream of one of my children

Sitting on that same bench where my legs swung

Skipping their fingers along the Ivory

Creating fantasy through their music

For them. And Me.