stuck-wallpaper, tickled, matted-madness, in the morning before matinee
wallflowers at school dances just want to be asked. ask them.
they are not hired as scenery, they are not decoration-they are not meant
to just simply be looked at-they have names-and are to be known as-shining.
but also want to be respected for not toe-stepping, spot-light stealing, crown-wearing
modest. in-vanity is not a word, but it is a virtue.
don't accuse them of petty fears- if anything call them
misunderstood-just because others forget to give-just because
others forget that they once dreamed before they were asked-
who believed in the words of every fairy-story
when there were enough charming princes to go around
and they still remembered their blocking and their lines.
_____________________________________________________Small Stone:
rockets flew in our faces.
the rough caught fire.
I took the old woman's hand for protection-
she didn't want my help.
