Sad Harmonica (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Sad Harmonica
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Saturday, May 16, 2020 Rated "G" by the Author.

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SAD HARMONICA _______________________________ John Herlihy For pennies, I bought that harmonica, Layin’ there quiet, just as silent as can be. A little thing sittin’ in the hand, nothing owed How to play a simple melody, I just knowed A thing calling me from some far horizon wide A slow adagio emerged of souls that cried A shiny silver thing, with those holes for eyes, I put the thing to my mouth as my breath cries. Just fixin’ on hearing how it might be sounded, All tentative-like, I blew my breath as a wind. Behold, no listen, to such a magical sound, Its melancholy tone filled the air all around. Softly at first, and beautiful, trying for effect, I didn’t know I had it in me as anything left. The soft music poured forth into empty air, Melody poured forth as conquered despair. - - - - - (c) John Herlihy 25 February 2020

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on May 17, 2020

I love the way you presented the power of the harmonica by storytelling and vernacular of someone picking one up and playing by ear.

I love it when I hear someone playing a lone flute, a banjo, a harmonica, and even the piano. Those simple melodies, often sad and often uplifting, are what I love most about music.

Ron

Reviewed by Michael Schafer

Nothing to harp about in this musical write.

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on May 16, 2020

MELODY POURED FORTH...AS CONQUERED DESPAIR. EXQUISITELY EXPRESSED, THANK YOU, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

There are many tales of harmonicas being played during lulls in battle, their sad and plaintive music filling the rifts between combatants with shared melancholia. By the same token harmonicas can also express joy and merriment. One could therefore argue that a harmonica can be considered a kind of pocket therapy that allows us to express fully what we are feeling inside.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

I love the sound of a harmonica! One of my late older brothers had all sorts of them! Your words brought the melancholy to life, John! I really like this one a LOT!!

Love ya!

Jane