Life's Necessities

While I try not to obsess over inanimate objects  
there is one category I do make exceptions  
not a car or a laptop, not even my sports card collection  
more about a collection of items that has  
year after year severed me so well  
 
Not that they don't talk because oh yes they can at my urging  
unlike mortals who grow old and eventually pass away  
with a little TLC these things never fail to please me  
in fact over the years the rewards have grown  
with knowledge and command
 
One is solid white and is the longest of the group  
provides a foundation for a lot of other things  
that other people whip up when  
they are at the height of inspiration  
 
This white beauty was a gift from my father  
and though I have encountered others  
and even bought one more spendy  
I always come back to the work of art  
a fun time always in store with it's presence  
 
The second is the most versatile  
electricity or none it can still go  
the first I bought with my own money  
I guess a few people have noticed it's transport  
been asked if I am so inclined to give lessons  
 
With my moments when I was seeking solace  
with a turn of events that were so unkind  
this was my refuge and never failed to give  
me peace of mind, in my way able  
to recall great treasures and deal with the sadness  
 
The next not as fancy as the last item mentioned  
the last gift from my parents before their passing  
black and sleek and never to be as loud as the others  
from John Denver to The Beatles, George Benson too Bob Dylan  
a vehicle for the melodic sounds given to the world  
 
Moments of solo time with any kind off weather  
energies, concerns, issues take second place  
as what my hands could produce where  
in some cases matched to my vocal activities  
bringing positive reactions from people around  
 
The last is an item that I adore but can bombard the ear  
matched with another item it was a witness to my  
attempts at emulating legendary performances  
in their league I will never be  
but also gave rhythm to a band's work in public  
 
By now you have figured out those devices nature  
a bass, an electric acoustic, a traditional acoustic,  
and a red and white electric  
staples of my life and those things  
I can't see my life being valuable without  
 
Along with books that catered to my mind  
and dogs owned that worked wonders on my soul  
the music has guided my way in all ups and downs  
from the kid in Los Angeles hearing about Lennon's death  
to moments of feeling out of place in high school and college  
 
To the height of frustrations with a political system  
I studied and found lacking in concerns for human beings  
down to the isolation of losing that special someone  
and to this moment not finding another  
the constant that leads me past storms and any furnace of fire