Her guide

Yes, she would play the piano

whenever someone hinted 

at national anthems

nothing but 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 Bill sent her the 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.

Yes, she would set out and find

whatever it took, whenever Bill would tell her

would come back to her

and guide her, we shouldn't doubt.

 

In times of happy communication

Bill being back on the air

she would even predict the future

for a few pennies more.

©Kees Klok