Piano Tunes

Ageing, personalite, Society 1 Minute

Piano Tunes

The piano plays Autumn Leaves, the barista is calling ‘Latte for Emma’
We go up for art class with the pianist singing Happy Birthday to you
Near the lift I look up and say ‘Lucky me, she sings for my birthday’
The woman in the red two-piece suit says ‘Best wishes to you’
The others are looking away. They don’t believe me.
In a nursing home some will never know the day
Or be sure whether it’s their birthday. I add
‘My grandson Danny called me today .’
The pianist starts Danny Boy
And they’re staring at me.

Piano et Chansons

La pianiste chante Les Feuilles Mortes, le barista crie ‘Café-au-lait, Emma’
Quand on monte faire de la peinture la pianiste chante Bon Anniversaire
Devant l’ascenseur j’ose me faire entendre ‘C’est pour moi la chanson’
La femme en costume rouge et en noir me dit ‘ Mes Félicitations’
Les autres ne me regardent pas, je vois qu’ils ne me croient pas
Dans une maison de repos on oublie quelquefois la date
Très peux sauront le jour de leur anniversaire. J’ajoute
‘Et Danny mon petit-fils m’a fait un coup de fil.’
La pianiste entonne ‘Danny Boy’
Et tout le monde me regarde.

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Published by Yayi-Australie

I am a French-born Australian linguist who loves writing about multicultural experiences. Taught English in Zambia and Papua New Guinea, gained a Doctorate with UPNG. In Western Australia I worked with migrants and Indigenous communities in Kalgoorlie and Roebourne. In charge of Amnesty International WA, then moved to Adelaide. Short-listed by The Human Rights Commission for the Literature NF Award for the anthology I edited with the Multicultural Writers Association of Australia, I later published my memoir. Volunteered with the Writers Centre, became active with PEN.

Published