July, 1999

History ©
by Susan Somers

do you ever get the urge
to stand up and sing
like an opera singer does?
i mean, really stand up.
do you ever ponder those deep
long chords frozen like
a bluebird in your uncle’s freezer
i mean, have you ever
wanted to put on that big
yellow dress and fake eyelashes
and vibrate?
have you ever wondered
when it’s really all over when
it’s really gonna end
if one note could
ever end this earth’s reveille?
have you felt that, baby,
in these streets, these grey
streets with rain and the beauty
of your grandparents and said,
hmmm, let’s put on this bowler
hat and sing?
i mean, really stood up?

Originally published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
"Award Winning Poems, 1999" 
Used with permission of the Poet.

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