The Flute Player

Before the first train left the station, a song quite euphonious could be heard,

Each morning at five, an old man with his flute could be spotted amongst the herd.

He played and he danced with a torn down brown hat for some extra change,

A wedding ring wound on his finger whispered how he had once been engaged.

He saw different people and called them different names.

He played for every one of them and not for any fame.

Old man called the people - the Dogs, the Seagulls and the Horses,

And then in his green diary, he drew and wrote about all his remorses. 

Dogs enjoyed his music and danced with him for they had fun,

Those were the ones he loved the most for to dance on his tunes, he had no one.

Seagulls never stopped or batted an eye in his direction,

Even the most harmonious of his tunes couldn't garner their attention.

Horses were the ones who looked at him with a cheap salad of emotions, 

Anger, pity and empathy at times, he knew well to stay away with caution.

No matter who he met during the day but at night, he played only for himself, 

He imagined his grandkids would dance to his songs like Santa's little elves!

Lastly, he took his day's earnings to Big Billy’s for his meal all the same,

But fell short of a dollar and walked out of the store flustered and ashamed.

Suddenly, a Seagull tapped on his shoulder with a brown bag and a beaming smile,

“The flute player cannot be missed you see. The morning trains always take a while”.

The old man felt full, a little bit giddy but most of all seen...

Tears welled up just when he saw a Horse sprinting through the canteen!

“Here, you must have dropped it on your way. These drawings are amazing by the way.”

Looking at his precious green possession, for once, the old man didn't feel like staying away.  

The Horse then asked, "Can I ask you a question, if I may?"

"Why do I see animal heads on humans? It's quite an unusual display!"

The old man trembled, weeped and finally mustered some words with all his might, 

"You see, I was an old fool with eyes but very little sight..."

I saw people for how they saw me, 

Anything else, I'd refuse to see.

And after twenty Christmases only with me,

Today's the day that I finally feel free. 

"Thank you for your kindness" I assure you, this did not go unseen,

The old man picked up his flute and played like he was seventeen.

This time he danced and even laughed in between, 

He played like he had once played to his love, Christine.