Dream Days

The walls of her
husband's home vanish
every six a.m.
as she beats Chopin
into the baby grand
as her rich mezzo soprano
overpowers a familiar aria
body tension back aches
dissolve in rhythms
of frenzied fingers
her life-breath slips free
through the open window

The moment illuminates
She reflects on doctors
of shock and drugs
Abruptly awakened children
grumbling from the breakfast room
accompany the bang
of wooden lid
on piano
key dreams