The blind man - Free verse

Long long ago down memory lane
A man played the sweetest music,
And it seems like only yesterday
That his enchanting melodies
Captivated so many.
Each evening he would be there
At the same corner of the town square,
No one minded him there
He had come to be an attraction.
And he would play his barrel-organ
With much passion throughout the whole evening.
People would come to listen and sing along,
They loved his music,sometimes it was a little loud
But mostly soft and romantic.
His head seemed to move with the sound of the waiters
As they shuffled around clinking glasses,
And filling them with wine.
The smell of cigarettes and cigar smoke
Floated in the warm evening air,
And whilst folks sang along to the melodies he was playing
He would raise his hand and wave.
They would throw him coins as he played
And he would bow his head in thanks,
Now and again he would smile and nod
As he heard couples dancing,
For he had known love but was now alone.
And now and again a tear would roll down his face,
For this now was his life his only happiness,
Grateful he was to be part of the happy crowd.
And not perhaps so melancholy,
Consumed as he was, by the air of romance.

                                  20-10-12.               Tj Hatton.