"ECHOES OF PRAISE"

I lifted my granddaughter
to look through the broken window;
a cool mountain-top breeze
rustled the dry October leaves
across the barren floor
of this forgotten sanctuary

where voices once blended in hymns and praise--
back when I was her age.

Window glass broken, ceiling planks
gray and bare; the old upright
still standing against a wall of neglect
with the fancy front trim piece loose, dangling.
Black and white keys, side by side, cracked and stained,
that once smiled beneath fingers

while voices of love sang--
back when I was her age.

We opened the door, spilling pleasant scenes
from a time of simple days and simple ways.
when Miss Mary returned each secret smile
I shyly delivered to the front row of the choir,
every single Sunday morning.
Her soft voice fueled a fire of passion

as voices blended in "Amazing Grace,"--
back when I was her age.

by Walt Barger
October 9, 2001
Revised October 16, 2001

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