Duet

You brought your clarinet over today.
We decided we needed to practice some music.
Strictly business.

Some measures sounded wonderful.
Other times we couldn't seem to line things up.
At times the rhythm was inconsistent,
But sixtuplets just aren't your thing yet.

We repeated the complicated parts of our duet:
We repeated and repeated until it finally came to us.
We were proud,
But only as business partners marvel over a great sale.
Nothing more.
Strictly business.

At times my clumsy fingers would slip on my piano.
Sometimes your clarinet would squeak.
These are examples of musical incompetence.
We tried to frown upon our mistakes,
For we want to exemplify
Professional and
Sophisticated musicianship.
Focused musicians dare not delight in any error.

But instead we would laugh.
We would look at the other upon our mistakes,
And give a look that inquired,
"Did you just hear that?"
And of course the other heard that dreadful noise,
So the gaze would be equally met,
With a warm, affirming grin.

The time I began to waver
Was when we started our sixteenth note run.
A swift series of notes,
Which requires a great amount of
Cooperation,
Coordination,
And understanding of the other's part,
In order to execute successfully.

Despite the abundant room for error,
We always lock in so well there.
I look forward to those notes
Every time we play.
Note by note, we are aligned,
And we convey the same message,
From different points of view.

I asked if you wanted to take a break and lay down
You said no,
Because you were being tough,
And because our music
Is strictly business.

I stepped away from my piano,
And crept up behind you
While you practiced some triplets.
I wrapped my arms around your waist,
And playfully kissed your cheek.

At that point you admitted
You were running slightly short of breath,
And a break didn't seem too unreasonable.
"Clarinets take a lot of air to work" you commented.

You put the horn back in its case,
And we scurried off,
Laying all practice edicate aside,
Engaging in terrible musicianship:
Completely unambitious,
Completely distracted,
Completely overjoyed in each others arms.

I slid my hand by yours.
Our fingers danced until they locked into place,
And then our duet began.