My Inspiration

Your talent was astounding
Your skills were amazing
The way your fingers found the chords
On your guitar with such precision
Filled my heart with joy

When you played your clarinet
Or stick of liqorice as you used to call it
In a klezmer style
While your audience would gaze at you
With wide smiles

When concentration furrowed your brow
As your brush swept
Smoothly across the canvas
I could only envy your skills
And wish you'd had the time to teach me

The painting that you lovingly created
Hangs on my living room wall
Depicting the childish smiles
Of my brother and I
Is something I will cherish forever

The blissful sounds from your viola
Filled the room
Sending shivers down everyone's spines
You were so loved by everybody
And all loved to hear you play

Now your music plays in your honour
That you left for us on cassette tapes
Your paintings cover the walls
Like a famous artist's exhibition
I remember you so well

I remember when you came to stay with us
During your final months
When you dyed your hair
Bright blonde
And wore your tartan trousers

The autoharp you left here
On your last visit
Is now covered in dust
But I vow to learn to play it one day
I promise

My old warped violin
Stands propped up in the corner
You were the only one to get a decent tune
Out of that ancient thing
Those were good times

And here everybody celebrates your life
You left us a lot to remember you by
Smiles all around
But not a dry eye in the house
You were truly amazing

I didn't have long with you, Uncle
And you were gone well too soon
The greatest artist that ever lived
Will never be forgotten
And is my constant inspiration.