Flood of Emotions

A poem about my classical guitar

If you want, you can listen to one of my favorite musical pieces while reading. I am talking about this musical piece later on.

Click here to listen to it on YouTube. Unfortunately, I can’t embed the video due to copyright.

Today I shall depart once more Dried flowers wait for me Next to the big green wooden door The sturdy strings hold tightly On your smooth skeleton

I always start by caressing you gently Touching your curves Breathing softly on you To wake you up and hear the sweet melodies That you so graciously gift me every time

One more trip to lands of passion awaits us Let’s sail together on the sea of black notes You’ve put up with me for so long I can now give you all the pleasure you deserve I’ve learned to touch you tenderly without scratching

I have perfected the musical work That made me fall in love with your kind Will you cry with me today My sweet friend As I travel to a faraway land

This poem is dedicated to my classical guitar. A Yamaha guitar my father bought during his first time in Japan as a ship mechanic in his early 20s.

I have already talked about my “wilder” side in reference to playing music on an electric guitar (you can read more here). The classical guitar brings out another side of me, more emotional and tender.

The musical piece linked above was the last song I learned how to play with the guidance of my beloved instructor. I will write more about her another time.

The first complete song I learned to play on my guitar was Greensleeves. I can still recite all the notes by heart. Sometimes, when I feel a panic attack coming or I am too sad, I tend to recite the notes of Greensleeves in my head. I can close my eyes and “see” myself playing along.

During our first lesson together (I was 7 years old) my instructor asked me if I would like to hear a musical piece. She played Asturias. It was so beautiful, I couldn’t hold back my tears. She told me that one day I’ll be able to play it too.

Usually, children start with smaller guitars before they can play on the regular sized ones. However, since my parents couldn’t afford to buy a new guitar, I had to use my father’s guitar from the beginning. I think there was a point where I was as tall as the guitar!

I could have used the smaller sized guitars at the conservatory, but that would be pointless since I would also have to practice at home. So, the instructor said it would be better if I learn directly on a regular sized guitar.

From the very first lesson, my father’s guitar became my guitar. I felt like it was alive and now loyal to me (I knew it wasn’t really alive — it was just my tendency to anthropomorphism… you can read more about it here).

For the next 8 years after that first day, I would carry my guitar in its case twice a week to the conservatory. I picked the case by myself. It’s a hard black one, lined with black velvet. It looks similar to this:

The case was very heavy for me for several years, but I carried it nonetheless. When it would rain or I was too tired, I would leave the guitar at home and practice in class with one of the conservatory’s guitars. I liked all of them, but mine was special.

It took me about 6–7 months to perfect Asturias. Just like Greensleeves, I still remember all the notes by heart, and I can’t wait to be reunited with my classical guitar once more. Asturias will be the first musical piece I will play.

The bond I have with my guitar is unique. It has felt all my emotions through my fingers. It has absorbed my heartbeats through my chest resting on its back. My tears have fallen on it many times.

It was my gateway to mystical lands made of music.

Thank you for reading, and I hope that you enjoyed listening to Asturias and Greensleeves!

You can now read about my guitar teacher here.