Dreaming of a Music Festival

 Sitting in this crowd,

surrounded by nothing but sweaty, shouting, drunk old men,

and college students thinking their team is the best in the business,

I sit in the back, and I will my mind to take me to a different kind of crowd.

I transform the beer in red solo cups to water bottles without the caps,

water to quench my thirst,

to moisten my insides and give me the strength I need.

The night sky full of stars and navy blue

turns to a bright, sun-burning day.

Heat shoots down onto my shoulders,

and the burning from its rays

fries my skin like food being deep fried in boiling oil.

The shouting from the crowd as a player fumbles, and all other noises,

It all turns to my favorite song,

by my favorite band,

on my favorite stage.

The drums pound me from my seat,

and the strumming of the guitar fills into my body,

caressing every inch of my skin and throbbing muscles,

and instead of screaming

I hear the words that always speak to me

when I am in need of comforting.

Soon, with the blessing of this music in the air I breathe,

I am surrounded by people standing in a mushed crowd

Instead of sitting on cold bleachers

that freeze to the skin on the back of my legs below my shorts.

Soon, I forget about those blisters stabbing at the pain receptors

in my heels from walking in ragged vans with no socks,

and sweat sticking to the fabric of my shoes. 

And I forget about the rope burns on my shoulders

that feel as if I am bound against my will

when really it is just a bag slumped against my being.

I forget about the sweat soaked clothes

that stick to me like a second layer of skin.

I forget about every inch of physical pain that tries to hold me back,

the sunburns, the rope scars, the blisters, the concussions, the deafening sounds,

and I am in a blissful state of peace. 

 

 -S.L.S. 

 

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the music festival. Hadn't been to one in many years.
"I forget about every inch of physical pain that tries to hold me back,
the sunburns, the rope scars, the blisters, the concussions, the deafening sounds,
and I am in a blissful state of peace. "
Years ago I went to Leonard Cohen, the Clash and like the rock and roll bars. I understand the words above. Good music make us forget bad surroundings. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry dear friend.
Coyote