The Violinist | Teen Ink

The Violinist

August 3, 2011
By Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott


A wizened man, an old, old man
His gait is slow, yet walks as best he can
The train turns, the floor unstable,
Yet he stands, as if to tell a fable
He lifts a violin, an áged instrument like he,
He lifts his chin, as if to let us see,
His unshaved face, his parchment skin, and wrinkled clothes,
Then with a start begins to play,
Telling with his melodies more than words can say
The tone is light, yet missing a slight harmony,
For there is no mindless joy in his melody
His two songs suit him, like his violin,
Both pleasant to the ear, but out, no longer in
He stops, he played too long, but not enough,
And reaches for something with his right hand rough
A cup, which he holds out and walks the train car ‘round
How could this be, to myself I sob,
Did someone, him of his small fortune rob?
This is not right, I think, and do the least I can
I follow him, and drop some coins into the cup for the man
He looks at me, and whispers, “merci”
No family who his destitution see?
He shuffles back, more ringing of the coins
It seems to me a slightly cheering noise,
For maybe he will have a hearty meal,
Or another check for his rent seal
Still, this is not right, I know
As the train stops and he moves to go
He should be reading in a rocking chair, or sleeping
Surrounded by his offspring, and never seeking,
Spare change, and giving, his soul to those who hardly care
Did he live his youth and pay his fare,
To in old age, deprived of stability and rest
Be forced to live on love and mercy, so rare, thus, and, the best


The author's comments:
This is a true story. An old man got onto the train I was on and played his violin, asking for money. This left a lasting impression on me, as considering his old age, he should certainly not be begging on the streets. The world can be so unjust. I hope that he and others going through undeserved hardships will see a change in fortune.

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This article has 29 comments.


on Feb. 25 2012 at 9:52 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you! And no, the work that gets published in the magazine has a little "mag" icon next to it. But i wish...

on Feb. 25 2012 at 9:47 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you very much!

svds1 BRONZE said...
on Feb. 24 2012 at 3:43 pm
svds1 BRONZE, Columbia, Missouri
2 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Suess.

It's a very pretty verse narrative!! Was this in the print magazine?

on Jan. 7 2012 at 5:31 pm
Zinaidia SILVER, Moreno Valley, California
8 articles 3 photos 78 comments

Favorite Quote:
\\\"Whatever you are, be a good one.\\\"

Wow, this is amazing! It isnt too short or too long and you tell the story amazingly. Bravo!

on Aug. 31 2011 at 5:34 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thanks, and you're welcome; I really tried.

on Aug. 31 2011 at 5:33 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you.

on Aug. 31 2011 at 9:41 am
freedomfighter97 BRONZE, Lake Ann, Michigan
1 article 0 photos 11 comments
Beautiful job!  Thank you for capturing your experience with these thoughtful words so we may ponder more upon how we may influence others and bring hope to their injustice.

Dude123 SILVER said...
on Aug. 30 2011 at 2:44 pm
Dude123 SILVER, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
8 articles 0 photos 3 comments
fantastic.  my favorite part was the way his joyless music parallels his disenchanted life

on Aug. 27 2011 at 11:58 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you.

on Aug. 26 2011 at 11:12 pm
Kenniekonglee PLATINUM, Ampang, Other
30 articles 3 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
. Just smile L:

i was left speechless , TOUCHED !!

on Aug. 17 2011 at 3:04 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank YOU. For letting me know that I've written something that can make a person feel like that.

Harebelle GOLD said...
on Aug. 17 2011 at 12:26 pm
Harebelle GOLD, Vancouver, Other
14 articles 1 photo 118 comments
I read this poem a few days ago and didn't know what to say, and now I'm reading it again because it's so beautiful and sad. Thank you!

on Aug. 16 2011 at 1:50 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you very much. My new poem, "Secrets" is posted!

ekent2013 said...
on Aug. 16 2011 at 1:44 pm
ekent2013, Defiance, Ohio
0 articles 10 photos 8 comments
I really like this poem.  You make it so the reader can really "see" what's happening.  It really is good.

on Aug. 16 2011 at 7:32 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you, thank you!

on Aug. 15 2011 at 9:03 pm
This absolutely marvellous, It is really moving. While reciting your poem, It seemed like the words were coming alive. I felt like I was right there, at that moment.
PS: This is definetely, Poetry Out Lod material. 
Lovely Job.

on Aug. 15 2011 at 9:38 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you.

on Aug. 14 2011 at 10:01 pm
WithPenAndScript DIAMOND, Venetia, Pennsylvania
72 articles 232 photos 251 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that no matter who you are we all leave footprints on this Earth

This was so sad...so good....but...so so sad :( Keep it up!!

on Aug. 14 2011 at 8:46 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

thank you, I tried to chose words that actually explained my point. And sure, I'll read your poem.

on Aug. 14 2011 at 3:50 am
Sophie Rose Cope SILVER, Cape Town, Other
7 articles 0 photos 37 comments

The beginning was very moving, the detail entrancing.

Often when writing with a ryhme scheme, the words in the poem are chosen exclusively BECAUSE they ryhme. You managed to steer away from this mostly, though. I really like your poem!!

could you maybe look at my 'dream poem' ??