(April 17, Michael Hammer
piano)
so many keys played carefully
one at a time or recklessly
in clumps in chords in runs in scales
hands bouncing fingers waggling trills
yet knowing each composer’s need
for a performer’s sloth or speed
for piano or fortissimo
to Hammer or to gently go
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 18, 2015