Strike My Keys Poem by Suzanne Hayasaki

Play me like a piano.
Strike all my keys.
Find my melodies.
Bring out my special resonance.

Sit down to me at dawn
When violet light seeps in
Warming to orange as your fingers
Begin to explore my board.

Listen to the morning.
Watch the light.
Feel the life outside
And describe it to me through my keys.

Let your desire to communicate to me
What moves you, what keeps you from sleep
Inspire you to compose a symphony
On the smooth ivory surface of my spine.

Then set me out on a stage.
Prop open my lid; expose my strings.
Use me as your muse to soar
On the thermal currents of your own notes.

I will provide the concrete.
You will produce the ideas.
I will be a tiny sanctuary
Within which you can sing.

On my bench, behind my body
You can hide in plain sight.
Focus on the black and white.
Close your eyes and feel me.

Alone, together, in this auditorium,
We will fill this dome with music,
Bring in the strings, unleash the horns!
Tonight a maestro is born!