LOATH to rise, yet eyes spy
Sunlit TABLE, spreads a warm glow
My TALLY of joy begins

Georg’ann

His back to the audience, alert
still as a statue until
this GUIDE for our evening
raises his hand so precisely,
sweeping up our anticipation, then
a SHARP swipe down of the BATON
brings forth a swell of sound.
Magic of that wand reaches
into me, as if the orchestra
were within, music pressing out.
Taut heartstrings respond, playing
vigorously. My body arching,
swirling legato then quickly
twitches of pulsing staccato.
Yet these bodily movements
almost imperceptible, internal.
No observer would sense. Outwardly
only subtle appreciative motion
noted perhaps by seat mates so staid.
Without keeping TALLY, note
by layered note hours pass.
Adrenaline fueled exhaustion
as thunderous clapping denotes
the close. Body comes to stillness
within the shuffle around me.
Patrons gather their belongings
to make rapid departures. Why?

Heather