Poem: Sacrifice

A poem about Pink Floyd. And Elton John.

We listened to The Very Best of Elton John
on the road from Napier through Wairoa -
it was good, some decent songs, but it
wasn’t our choice at all. Richard’s dad said
that Pink Floyd was “cold sweat music”.

I remember laughing at that description
and only seeing it as a positive way to think
about the band. But Richard warned me
not to laugh. And announced far too loudly
‘I’m Still Standing’ was his favourite song.

Whenever I heard it now, I wonder if he is.
And I guess I have to wonder about how many
not standing now might be due to something
he did. You can’t blame a father for not letting
his son listen to Pink Floyd. And that’s a shame.