A Note in Passing

“A Note in Passing”

Only few people knew him as Ebenezer,
Most folks just called him “that homeless old geezer.”
Walking the streets in an old flannel shirt,
Which was missing its buttons and covered with dirt,
He surveyed the world through watery, red eyes.
He fended off teenagers, strange looks, and flies.
Children saw the man with the long, crusty beard
Haunting their dreams – he clearly was feared.

Common sense dictated he was somebody’s son –
But was he now related to anyone?
Rumor suggested a niece and nephew,
Mathematically making him an uncle of two.
Some say he was wealthy, but not how they know it.
Some say a veteran who had medals to show it.

On a day just as gray as the hair on his head
He happened upon a musician named Fred.
Fred was just moving in, but a most savvy dude…
A congenial sort who was never rude.
Fred made friendly with the lonely old man,
Even offered him rest in his Phish-stickered van.
Ebenezer smiled, with a tear in his eye,
But something preposterous darkened his sky.
Somewhere around floor two or three,
The mover got a cramp and Fred’s piano fell free.
The startled musician reportedly spat,
“The last note it played was a killer e-flat.”


*Note: This was written when a writing professor said to the class "write anything, just WRITE... you can write about Uncle Ebenezer walking down the street getting crushed under a falling piano for all I care."