Her Guide

She would play the piano

whenever someone hinted

at national anthems.

For years she practised the French

the Dutch, the Greek, hesitantly the Russian

though they never seemed to differ much.

It was Bill, she said, Bill taught her

and sent her the musical notes from beyond

evening after evening or after months of silence.

It was then she tried her own songs

national anthems in their own way

melodies from countries still to be discovered.

In times of happy communication

Bill being back on the air

she would predict the future

for a few pennies more.

©C.A. Klok