SKELETON PIANO

deep in the wilds of africa
an elephant meets death
then robbed of all his ivory
before his final breath

his lengthy tusks are harvested
with beast down on his knees
and whittled down to perfect size
for man's piano keys

they say you tickle ivory
each time piano's played
but there's no trace of laughter
where an artist's hands are laid

an elephant holds memories
that death can not erase
and you can sense that life line
when your fingers take their place

yes, God's creations never last
the same, when made by man
piano songs are limited
they're sure to reach their span

the instrument, a skeleton
the inner framework seen
there's rows of keys with missing links
big spaces in between

then things have come full circle
and the tunes they hold must cease
a lifetime of sweet memories
the instrument at peace

so when i hear a pianist
here's something i have found
if you just listen carefully
you'll hear a trumpet sound