98. Pick-me-up

a celebration of Fats Waller

The opening bars are irresistible,
that piano brushing up against my hand
an eager puppy looking for a stroke.
His rich, warm voice, the chuckle breaking in,
the smart ad libs. Don’t let it bother you
he says. To give up hope would be a sin
and here comes consolation, bang on cue.
That “when somebody thinks you’re wonderful”
excitement, just imagine the surprise
of loving, being loved. The endless joke
that you can write yourself a letter, and
believe that everything will be OK.
It might sound sentimental, but it’s wise
and makes me smile. I’m fit to face the day.