Practicing a Pageant

Practicing a Pageant

Read time: 1 min.


Only twelve more days 
Until the night arrives.
The list has twice been checked,
And ninety-nine more times to go.
So many parents bringing wishes;
Children dreaming
Instead of learning lines.
Mrs. Shepherd wants her little star in the lead,
But dear Gabriel won’t listen to direction.
I’ll have to ask Santa for costumes,
Hoping his elves work faster
Than the ones building my scenery.
Keep the eggnog coming
While I draft my letter to Krampus.
This is our final dress rehearsal,
And not a creature knows their lines.
Now the curtain’s going up.
There's no room in the audience.
Parents and directors keep their watch,
As silent as the night.
The choir aren’t angels;
The Magi have to hold their sacred texts.
Even so, I close my eyes and exhale,
Listening to the story,
Ignoring how it’s told.

Thank you for reading.

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I’m Judith

Or rather the pseudonym I’m currently using here is Judith. That name also belongs to one of my characters, who I gave it to as a test of sorts. My poetry, which centers on translating minor moments into obscure observations, has appeared in various collections under different names. My psyche resides in Mississippi along the Singing River.

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