Today is AA's Birthday

Today is AA's Birthday.

He would be ninety-nine

Had the notes still played

In testament to the ryhme

Where only silence has a say

Instead of plinking sounds

Plinking-plonking every day 

In strides doing the rounds.

Now only the hushed place

Between each voiceless note;

Now only the fading face

Once imprinted by rote

Are silently heard inside

This weary, wistful head

That says he died;

But longs instead

To hear old AA 

On his birthday

Play,

Just play.