Best Concert Ever

 

Best concert ever

Spread a blanket, edge of crowd
eat fried chicken not dancing
Jerry far away a tiny bobblehead on stage
flash of a beatific grin

Toddling child appears naked before us
says “Poop” a complete statement
parents somewhere dancing
the need immediate smelly

Selected by this child we
have no diapers no wipes
everyone oblivious dancing he has
black ringlets smudged cheeks trusting eyes

There are moments
—when you look into a lover’s eyes
—when a tree is falling
—when a child is in need
the world stops except that one thing

Jerry stops
the whole amphitheater silent
airplanes pause midair
as we improvise with napkins
glug of white wine for cleaning fluid
dancing skeleton T shirt
folded and knotted as diaper

Saturn his name
stays with us we are Saturn’s rings
until mom and dad appear frantic and so sorry

We say we’re honored he chose us
Thank you so much they say
but—no, the music never stopped

…..

First published in Storyteller Poetry Review—thank you editor Sharon Waller Knutson

Note: Nominated for Pushcart