I am holding it effortlessly steady

like a gliding waiter balancing a tray

of quail's eggs and salmon souffle

on his horizontal palm.

I am dexterously carrying it up three flights of stairs

without stubbing my toes or splitting my fingernails,

without chipping paint off the door frames

or denting the soft plaster of the walls.

I am lifting the piano with one hand.

I have not eaten spinach, mineral supplements,

muscle powder or Weetabix.

Today I am just incredibly strong

and able to carry the piano up three flights of stairs

where I'll leave the skylight window open

and a note inviting any passing ghosts

to come in, sit down and play 'Moonlight Sonata'

or ' Chopin's Nocturne' or 'The Entertainer'

or whatever they'd like to play on a neglected piano

in the house of a very strong woman.