As I sit here this evening, contemplating life, it's ups and downs, more downs usually that ups it seems. And with no sleep in sight, I deal with this problem so to speak with a dream, my dream.
The piano sits alone in the center the stage of the concert hall. It's keys shining like diamonds amidst the deep blackness of it's body. Every string tightened to perfect tension. As elaborate as the piano may be, it looks stunningly beautiful and simple alone on the stage.
Hushed whispers and the rustling of crisp programs is all that can be heard as the crowd slowly makes their way to their seats. As I peer through the long curtains off stage, I begin to wonder how many people there actually are, filling the seats of the hall. Hundreds? Thousands? My heart begins to race as I grow more and more anxious. As the lights dim further towards complete darkness I know that the time has come. My time.
I make my way towards the edge of the stage and my hands become clammy. I adjust my bow tie and rigid collar one last time before I make my way to my calling, my fate. I have been waiting for this night my entire life, since i was a child. And the time is now upon me. I can hear the almost utter silence from the audience. They have all come to see me, my gift. It is time.
As the long dark curtain is pulled from the center of the stage, the blinding light of the spotlights pierce through the darkness to the piano. The hall is completely dark now.As I begin to walk towards the piano, I try to look out into the crowd, but I can only see shadows. I take a deep breathe. The air still has the aroma of the floor polish that was used just hours before. Continuing towards the piano, my steps echo loudly through the hall. When I come within feet of the piano, time slows to a crawl. My heart beats faster as I become more anxious than nervous. Every breath I take feels like my last. Each step feels like a lifetime.
When I have finally finished the walk to the piano, I slowly slide the bench out from underneath the piano. It glides across the floor with almost an inaudable sound. With a crisp movement, I pop the tails of my tuxedo behind me and take my seat. It is time. I slowly close my eyes, take one deep breath after another, and slowly lift my hands towards the keys.
The instant my hands touch the ivory, I am instantly transported from the concert hall to another world. A world that only I know. A world with no time, no pain, just exquisite music. Beautiful melodies flow from the piano sounding as if they were gifts delievered by Apollo himself. My thoughts, my ideas, my heart, my love, my fear, my soul, my everything pours from my existance and through the piano, they are all given form, given purpose.
As my musical journey ends, I return to the concert hall. I lower my hands from the beautiful ivory and the audience, as one, erupt into cheers and applause. As I begin to slide to the edge of the piano bench, I wipe sweat from my forehead. I stand and take a few short steps toards the edge of the stage and I pause, graciously soaking the magnificent ovation that the audience has given me. I slowly bow to my audience, thanking them for listening to my music, my life.
