The Instruments (new prose) (A true story)
The young girl says when will I be at a point where I have eaten all I can run all I can read all I can and
her mother says when you’re 47 the girl wanted to grow and not be planted have roots but not get stuck
her mother said your heart will branch your lungs will branch your spirit will branch they go down to
the school where the kids are choosing instruments like choosing who they will marry the young girl
picks up the small light ones first the mother is silent she thinks of her frame and her daughter’s frame
of mind after awhile the mother points over the big heavy baritone propped up alone in the corner
try this one and the young girl picks it up and feels This is what it’s like to be big she holds it in her lap
and the best sound comes out of it her mother smiles and nods her head the young girl says you think
mom? Yes and music heart lungs and spirit from then on became larger than life
s.m.g.
