Memories of Melodies (class assignment)

Memories of Melodies
As high energy as The Entertainer,
with its ragtime rhythm.
As lazy as floating down
The Swanee River.
As sweet as the sound
of Amazing Grace.
Her fingers were as sturdy as
The Old Rugged Cross.
As comforting as
the 23rd Psalm
They could make your toe tap
with The Beer Barrel Polka,
just as easily they would march to
The Battle Hymn Republic.
As the spirit would lead her,
she would play the music
by ear or by heart.
Even when her memory was sadly lost,
the music remained
in her nimble fingers,
as they flew across
the ebony and ivory keys.