Musical Mentor

for Nate Shaffer

Before you taught me how, I couldn’t play
and sing along with music from the keys.
A lack of confidence I couldn’t slay
prevented me from doing so with ease.

We shattered lack of confidence like glass.
May many music students take your class.

Your patience and your skill as teacher made
possible what long was out of reach,
a treasure that’s worth more than can be paid
for me as well as others whom you teach.

We shattered lack of confidence like glass.
May many music students take your class.

But you have taught much more than just a skill:
as life and music intertwine so much,
both grow from understanding you instill,
like melodies that bloom from keys we touch.

We shattered lack of confidence like glass.
May many music students take your class.

Inspired by Nate Shaffer: Inner and Outer Music

Mario A. Pita