The Guitarist

His fingers burn across the pearl-inlaid wooden board. The catalysts rub against the resin and blisters below begin to ache. Blood appears through the strings as the "D" chord is struck. He starts to strain his throat with high pitched notes. He recognizes the pain but does not falter for he is happy. His love for her heats the pattern of chords now rich with warm life flowing from his skilled fingers. Still he plays. His heart lusts for more yet the hell pounding in his hand pleads for mercy. Still the notes pierce the air. He drives to the end strumming faster with each second. As he strikes the final string, his ribs start to ache from the constant rebounding of the heart against bone. He peers down and finds that the life that once was streaming forth from his fingers have fallen and dried on the floor. Then he plays again.