He missed the days
When his life
Flowed like a soft
Acoustic ballad.

A peaceful time
When in his mind
He could almost picture
The swift fingers
Gently caressing
The strings.

A time before
The push and pull of work
And –oh so many–
Important obligations
Began tightening
The strings
More…

And more…

And more…

It came without warning.

A sudden sharp,
Discordant twang.

His eyes suddenly opened
To see what he was about to miss.

Life is way too short
To waste it suffering fools.

With a sigh
He let them go.

Time to learn the melody,
Again.