For Elise

I wake up all grumpy, surrounded by gloom
The sun frowns at me and catastrophes loom
I’m here all alone to hold back the tide
My tastes out of date and my clothes too tight

I seem to remember a slenderer me
In a life more straightforward, more like do re mi
It was perfectly easy to stay wide awake
But all that’s becoming increasingly vague

Now panic sets in, with no chance of release
So I sit at my piano and play For Elise

Old age locks me up like a modern-day pirate
My fingers are moving on full autopilot
I’m picturing quills, chandeliers and lace
It helps me forget what time’s done to my face

It’s a crime but I can’t even call the police
So I sit at my piano and play For Elise

I play it repeatedly
A little conceitedly
From E to D sharp back to E without cease
I sit at my piano and play For Elise

I play it excessively
A little aggressively
A paradox when I consider the peace
I feel every time that I play For Elise

I stumble a bit when I reach the last bar
My rhythm and tempo are not up to par
I’m terribly sore and my fingers are numb
I see with amazement that evening has come

I’m all grumpy but thankfully still in one piece
So I stay at my piano and play For Elise