"All eyes to the stage"

(Moments remembered on December 17, 2009).

Clusters of choir members scattered around,
A couple of altos reviewing their part,
Another munching on carrot sticks in the corner.
Violas from the orchestra tune,
Black collars popped and red ties hanging;
Girls scurry barefoot to the mirror,
Hurriedly reapplying their lipstick.

The doors fly open and the audience floods
Down the aisles and to the front.
Hugging and chattering with a grin,
The room is filled with their enthusiastic buzz;
Eagerness and delighted anticipation pulses.
Taking one last gulp of water, I stash the bottle
Beside an empty cello case and a roll of electrical tape.

Moments later the house lights dim,
The crowd grows silent;
All eyes to the stage.
The choir adjusts our black folders,
Clicking on the little music lights.
The conductor raises his baton;
Deep breath and…