Audition

Audition (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You walk in, full arms all papers, water bottle and inadvertent slam

door against the wall and a cringe sorry to nobody in particular

in the empty waiting room. You try

for the appearance of nonchalance

like you’ve done this before, stomach twisting out prayers

as you wait, wonder why, and then

it’s your turn. Strong hand shake, smile

offer real, look him in the eye respond, and when he finally asks

if you would like to share some of your poems

you say yes, yes, I would, and you step up

to the borrowed music stand

your pop art sign glowing like a bright star

against every feeling of inadequacy

open your mouth

and speak him into believing.

When it is over he says good, good

and you feel a giddy gut pull where

you are almost sure

writing words and speaking words and living words

is more than just a square peg in a square hole.

SDG