Verse – House Concert

House concert(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

Verse – The Accompanist

On the piano bench talent just landed
Bragging “A band I replaced, single-handed!”
He plays for our choir,
But he is a liar:
I watched, and he plays DOUBLE-handed!

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Nov. 15, 2014