Scores inked in breath pauses
Piano lids closed like eyelids
Chairs held invisible chords
Walls hummed memory of sound
Guests arrived whisper-slow
Fingers rested weightless
Silence rehearsed mercy
Heartbeats kept tempo
Grief tuned itself gently
Joy entered barefoot
Music required no instrument
Presence played key
Final measure lingered forever
Air bowed reverently
Audience left lighter
Silence earned applause