Murphy's Law

His guitar was the only companion
He ever needed. He sat strumming it
On the busy street.
But the greatest music was the jangle
Of the coins as they
Ricocheted into his guitar case.
The break-through came when
He was offered a place as opening act
For some other ungrateful band.
He knew he had sold his soul
For the privilege.
The night of the concert preparing for
His taxi out of the gutter heard
His mother crying out as
His step father battered her like
Their furniture.
He was locked in his room
Screaming into the pillow.
A broken nose had taught him
Not to stand up to the dictator.
Finally climbing out the bedroom window
With his guitar strapped to his back
To begin the longest journey.
But when he arrived
He found himself alone in
A glittering hall.
The posters were ripped and
Wet from the feet of the crowd.
Carpeted the floor.
And the microphone on its
Slender stand was the only witness
As he began his song
For the empty stage.