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Center Stage ~Poetics ~ dVersePoets

Prepped and primped
so much powder
weighing eyelashes
but you never let 'em see you sweat.

A cold beer sweats,
already the crowd is alive
a stranger calls my name
I pretend not to hear it.

The boys think its great
as they hide behind guitars,
double bass drums
and sound boards

ready to bed
the first blonde, the first redhead
the first woman drunk enough
to forget she did not arrive alone

They're laughing
all ready three sheets to the wind
counting heads and counting dollars
running the bar into the ground

before the first set
where they will be the rock stars
and I will be...
a chick trying to sing Zeppelin

Rock on!

Sheila has brought a wonderful writer to the pub today to prompt our pens. Karen Gustafson (@ManicDDaily) is talking undercurrents...and I do hope you picked up on my vibe. :)  Here's to dVerse...they prompt poetry on days you thought none would be forth coming. (At least by my definition)

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Mary said…
Sometimes it is definitely best not to hear when a stranger calls one's name. Ah yes, and so many women trying to attract the attention of the band; and I bet you could sing a 'mean' Zeppelin. Those WERE the days!
January 28, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Brendan said…
The singer's the vulnerable one, eh, no instrument to hide behind (unless they're reallllll skinny and can duck behind the mike stand); plus its male territory, that rock n roll show, and all eyes are on the chick singer and seeing if she can Plant with the best of 'em ... You don't reveal the speaker's identity (and vantage) til the end -- we think she's a gal in the bar trying to hold her own, then we realize she's a gal on the stage, trying to hold her own. Great piece, Tash -- B
January 28, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Unknown said…
Really nice, I like the set up, the reflections cast and it's a great example of storytelling through poetry, great job Tash, thanks
January 28, 2012 at 7:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Very nice. The band, the groupie, the stranger, the bar-- a vivid scene.


(one typo maybe--chick?)


K.
January 28, 2012 at 7:14 PM
Anonymous said…
I can really see this scene...don't think I'd like to be out front of a band... brave stuff!
January 28, 2012 at 7:26 PM
The Silver Fox said…
My bands all used to do Led Zeppelin cover tunes for our encores, cuz I, the lead singer, could approximate Plant very well, if I do say so myself. Of course, no one challenged my right to be on that stage, cuz I wasn't a "chick."
January 28, 2012 at 7:46 PM
Pat Hatt said…
Bah let them challenge and just go away
With the singing display
Sure they will all shut up
And maybe spill their cup
Funny how that goes though
Like the guys can only put on the show
January 28, 2012 at 8:10 PM
Lisa said…
I can picture the scene and feel the undercurrent. Hello Natasha.
January 28, 2012 at 8:18 PM
Unknown said…
You are rockin here with the guys. I been there, done it, and you make me hear and see it all over again. But it's not one of those oh my god what did I do last night when I was drunk moments. No, this is poetry jamming and serving up the real!
January 28, 2012 at 9:13 PM
Anonymous said…
This also emphasizes the fact that male and female brains work differently. Men can think about other thinks, focus on distractions like bedding babes, getting drunk, and counting cash. But women fixate on their worries and can't move their thoughts to anything else but the current possibility of failure. Even a chick who's adored and has strangers screaming her name feels insecure, inferior, and like she should have put on just a bit more eyeshadow to hide behind.
January 28, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Brian Miller said…
you know, its frustrating...when you work with people at times and the motives are different...the boys in your story having their own ideas, while you only wish to sing...felt...nice tash...
January 29, 2012 at 12:17 AM
Claudia said…
i like how you carve out the vulnerability in your lines...the heavy eyelashes, the sweat..the pretending not to hear...great take on the prompt tash...def. felt
January 29, 2012 at 5:04 AM
Madeleine Begun Kane said…
That was just delightful and insightful!

And thanks for your fun contribution to last week's Limerick-Off!
January 29, 2012 at 5:14 AM
kaykuala said…
The rock scene being played again! Nice scene Tash! The players are different but the yearnings, aspirations and wants are the same and they are real!

Hank
January 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Unknown said…
really felt the scene here and captured the atmosphere of the bar ...loved it thank you as always x x x
January 29, 2012 at 10:34 AM
hedgewitch said…
Stagefright and swagger. all rolled into one assertive stance--I like it Tash--and yes, I think those sorts of undercurrents take a lot of females down over time...but, as you say, we gotta rock on.
January 29, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Laurie Kolp said…
I love the progression of this... perfect capture of the bar scene, something I haven't been around in quite some time (and don't miss at all).

http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/getting-better-with-time/
January 29, 2012 at 4:19 PM
Stuart McPherson said…
I got a few different undercurrents here. Maybe the perspective of the woman on stage singing and being grounded whilst the rest of the band actually THINK they are in Led Zeppelin. The woman never letting the men see her sweat . Maybe the woman wanting to be seen as MORE than 'just a chick'. The great thing about this piece is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways- and that's what makes it clever and thoughtful.
January 29, 2012 at 5:39 PM
Sheila said…
hehe, nicely done, Natasha. Now, I am craving a beer ;)
January 29, 2012 at 5:47 PM
Glenn Buttkus said…
This one brings the heat with a beat,
and little do the boys know that most
of the audience, chicks included have
eyes glued on the female singer.
This piece hums with the juice,
drenched in blue smoke, maryjane
ethers, electric guitars, and pounding
drums; hard to calm down after a read.
January 29, 2012 at 7:32 PM
Bianca said…
This is great :) Loved it!
January 30, 2012 at 7:53 AM
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