The Mysterious Midnight Accordionist (Who Got the Security Guards Fired)

I wrote this during biology class in 1998. I was imagining a guy sitting in the schoolyard, playing an accordion in the middle of the night. The guards would come and get all freaked out, but they'd freeze in place standing there watching him, but he'd be getting enough of a workout playing the accordion that he'd stay warm. Then once they'd frozen solid, he'd leave without a trace, leaving them with a bizarre story that their bosses won't believe when they don't get their work done.

The school yard cops and midnight crew were frightened by the sound

they found in him the darkened courtyard sitting on the ground

sitting with his face curled into a hollow, vacant smile

playing an accordion with European style

The wind was crisp and bitter

to carry the music away

they said "you'd better leave"

and he said "no, I think I'll stay"

For a momment, they just stood there frightened and confused

should they get much closer? how much caution should they use?

and he just kept on playing quite untouch-ed by their stares

went into an irish ballad with italian flair

the notes were clear and hollow

eerie in a haunting way

they said….

His strange smile made them nervous and their minds began to race

they knew they'd seen him somewhere but they couldn't place the face

the night was getting very cold, they soon began to freeze

and he continued playing, no apparent lack of ease

the minutes turned to hours

the night turned into day

they said….

When the sun had risen they had frozen in their place

but the strange young man of whom they spoke was gone without a trace

your story sounds suspicious

is what the people say

we said "you'd better leave" 

and he said "no, I'd better stay"

(c) 1998 by Adam Selzer, ASCAP