PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
It’s like church, with candles, low lighting, the hush as a poet approaches the microphone.
Her short stature and fragile bone structure does not prepare the audience for her voice, which is like thunder on a rainy April afternoon. Or her words, that strike us with truth like hailstones.
She storms us. We’re rapt in her grip for ten minutes; then suddenly she releases, leaving us shaken and stunned. She rises to applause from her seat.
She smiles awkwardly as she passes through the crowd – and stops at my table.
“How’d I do, mom?,” she whispers to me.
[~100 words]
This was taken at a local coffee shop a few months back that was having its first ever “curated cabaret” of poets, musicians, and storytellers. It was a very enjoyable experience as a member of the audience. Beyond those details, it is a work of fiction.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the springy host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Great pen portrait of a powerful performance
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Thanks, Neil!
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A stage can inspire an entirely different persona. (K)
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Yes!
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I love all your references to stormy weather. Beautifully written.
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Thank you very much, Alicia.
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Stature and bone structure evidently are poor indicators for performance. 🙂
Your poem kind of reminds me of the saying, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.
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lol yep. In her case, dynamite — or a giant storm — came in a small package 😉
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Oh my…that last bit got me in the mom feels. ❤
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❤
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My son amazes me when he lectures to a crowd. I understand this pride and you captured it beautifully.
Tracey
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Thanks very much, Tracey. Glad you connected with it.
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As much metaphor in the story as her poem – nice. I enjoyed it.
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Thanks much, Trent, glad you enjoyed it.
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Losing yourself as you take the floor… it’s an experience I remember so well. You brought that back. Thanks Lisa, and for the photo.
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❤ Thank you, Sandra, and glad you like the photo.
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She must have been such a proud mother! The best I’ve ever managed is polite applause!
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Thanks much, Keith 🙂
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I love this! The surprising voice, the daughter seeking Mom’s approval. Good writing.
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Linda, thanks much, glad you enjoyed the story.
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As a poet myself, i really enjoyed this one. I did a few readings back in college (an assignment). Love the photo, too.
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Thanks much, Bear, so glad you connected with the story.
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She done well. I like how you used the forces of nature to express her confidence in her performance.
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James, thanks much.
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A great story and thanks for the background info on the photo sounds like a cool night 😊
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AJ, thank you, and yes, it was 🙂
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Great story. I love your descriptions.
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Thank you, Athling 🙂
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The child parent relationship here is so sweetly rendered.
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Thanks much, Liam 🙂
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Oh, I loved the last line. So proud! I also enjoyed your descriptions of the poet. Thanks for the photo this week, Lisa.
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Brenda, thank you so much and my pleasure on the photo 🙂
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mom must be very proud. 🙂
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I’m sure she is 🙂
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Fun read.
I only ever went to one event like that… and I wasn’t impressed with the ‘host’. Another time I did do a reading…for a group, but I couldn’t find the place and ended up getting there late. They let me read… but well that wasn’t a great experience either. I felt like a fish out of water…
I think I’ll just stick with blogging 😉
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haha Jules! I’ve read poems a time or two on dVerse live (via microsoft teams) and that was quite nerve-wracking. Getting up in front of live people and doing it would be a challenge. Good for you on having the courage to do it. It probably gets easier each time…
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😀
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Awwwww lovely!
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Lovely and quite descriptive.
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Thank you 🙂
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Aw, sweet. Love this. Captivating story as always. 👍
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Thank you 🙂
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I love this. To try public spoken word is one of my 2023 goals🙏🏾✨
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Good for you, Jude. I feel your goal will be reached in 2023 and I think your poetry (or book excerpt) would sound great read aloud.
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🤓🙏🏾
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Fun. I’ve seen poetry readings on TV and in movies, but never in person. I bet it is a fun experience.
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It was. Both of the poets were really good. One guy read a short story. Being able to hear clearly was the most difficult thing for me.
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