Onstage, you were playing
with ease, your foot gently
tapping the looping pedal, layer
upon layer upon layer with your
bow, your words,
your whistles.
Nobody was sure how the violin came to be
on the ground, its neck snapped
and scattered over cables.
The tension of strings transferred to your face,
then defeat in your eyes, apology
heavy in your shoulders,
as though
rain had begun to fall,
your body hunched for warmth,
goosebumps
rising on your
skin.
Nervous Motion
Nervous Motion
By Melanie Godel
Onstage, you were playing
with ease, your foot gently
tapping the looping pedal, layer
upon layer upon layer with your
bow, your words,
your whistles.
Nobody was sure how the violin came to be
on the ground, its neck snapped
and scattered over cables.
The tension of strings transferred to your face,
then defeat in your eyes, apology
heavy in your shoulders,
as though
rain had begun to fall,
your body hunched for warmth,
goosebumps
rising on your
skin.