The Collector Of Pianos Poem by Alexandre Nodopaka

A virtual painting
of a woman
and a man
playing their respective
instruments.

They sit back
to back.

Completely estranged.

He plays his piano.

She plays her harmonium.

His music.

Her melody.

They no longer play
musical chairs.

Instead
they finger each other's
feelings.

His towel has HIS stitched on.

Hers has HERS.

Not my sight but my nose
can tell whose is whose.

Her children, not his,
he says modestly.

Your money
is my money, she says.

And mine is mine, she adds.

He quietly crescendos
the notes
knowing that when
he moves out
her lover will move
in
and get his piano
too.