Curtain call

They rustle in

breaking the silence

of an empty auditorium

I...behind the curtain

arms crossed waiting for my introduction

waiting for that big bright light

to envelope me

to heat my skin

to force away the fear of the stage

I can hear them scurry to their seats

the women putting their purses

gently on the floor

crossing their legs

sitting with great posture

as if they have been educated that way

some of the men cough

I envision them covering their mouths

with the sleeves of their jackets

they paid five dollars and fifty cents

to sit there

and listen to this old fool read

I thought I had everything planned out

put into place

but this changes everything

I have enjoyed reading at bookstores

coffee houses

out on the street with my hat tilted

collecting dollar bills

that's how i've supported myself

being a bum of poetry

for poetry

by poetry

an now

here I am

waiting ever so nervously

for this curtain to rise

for it to drown me in white light

If I think hard enough

or quickly write a poem strong enough

the curtain may pull the audience up with it

leaving me in the darkness of my own words

I know I will be able

and willing to recite everything

to absolutely nothing

 

 

Reviews

[Nyida Strong]

"being a bum of poetry, by poetry, for poetry..."

What a great line! I love this work, as I do many of the others you've been kind enough to grace the world with. Such a powerful piece so wonderfully done! Please keep up the great work.

N. Strong