Tribute for Writers Island

This is an old one, but as it was part of a complex post, I am re-posting for today’s Writers Island prompt: Tribute.

In Praise of a Maiden Aunt

I can see you now, plump, blonde and plain,
pebble glasses and a sour look;
dressed like Grandma in corsets,
brown dress with lace modesty vest
to hide your ample bosom.
Dad called you Twitter and Bisted –
you were pretty cranky then.

But I know better now.
A blighted love life,
a concert pianist manqué
for want of cash for training.
You gave me my first lessons
in the cramped front room
on that lovely grand piano:
a lifelong love affair for me,
a tragedy for you.

This was a life sacrificed
to look after the Grans.
Your talents unrecognised,
your music too soon silenced.
You were a heroine of your time.