Garland
GARLAND
By Kate H. Stark
It happened while practicing my violin.
I practiced at home on a seat near the door.
I suddenly felt a huge urge to explore.
The bluebirds were soaring up high in the sky.
If bluebirds could do it, then why couldn’t I?
I sneaked from the house with my fiddle in hand,
and strolled down the street to the nearest newsstand.
The papers were bursting with news of a show.
I’d fiddle my way to the state rodeo!
I jumped on a bus, and the driver said, “Hey!
This ride isn’t free so please come up and pay.”
Without any money I almost gave in,
then noticed the driver eye my violin.
“I’ll play you a tune for a bus ride.” I said.
She winked and then whispered to “go right ahead.”
I chose something dreamy which earned an ovation.
The passengers cheered as we all left the station.
We stopped at the rodeo quarter to four.
With fiddle in hand, I marched right out the door.
My feet hit the grass, and I viewed the fairgrounds.
The massive arena was echoing sounds
of rip-roaring times and a boisterous ride.
I skipped toward the entrance, my eyes bright and wide.
The scene was fantastic with marvelous things.
I eagerly plucked all my fiddle’s thin strings.
I greeted the wranglers who tipped their broad hats.
I ogled the bulls and the festival cats.
I smelled the mouth-watering foods in the breeze,
like popcorn and hotdogs and gooey fried cheese.
And then I caught sight of the star of the show.
Head cowboy - his name was Old Wizard Woodrow.
The famed man approached me and shook my small hand.
“You’ve entered the prime rodeo of the land.
There’s no place like here. Yeehaw! Howdy doo.
I see that you brought a string instrument too.
Might you play this crowd a lil’ violin song?
I promise to get them all clapping along.”
I figured, “Why not?” and I took center stage,
embarked on a fabulous, fiddlin’ rampage.
I hit a high note and the crowd yelled “yahoo!”
I dropped it down low which induced “aah” and “ooh.”
The cheers from the stands brought me endless delight.
I thought, “Wow, I’m sure glad that I came here tonight.”
The rodeo ended. I ran toward the bus.
My fans kept on screaming and making a fuss.
They begged for an encore. “Please play one last ditty!”
I fiddled my best before leaving the city.
Over the Rainbow - my musical choice.
All of my fans did approve and rejoice.
The air whispered magic. My song cloaked the land.
It all seemed so perfect, each moment so grand.
I clicked my heels twice as I played, and I played,
then right out of nowhere things started to fade.
The cheers turned to calls from a voice that I knew.
“Dear Garland, wake up!” It was Great Auntie Sue.
“My sweet, you were dreaming asleep in your chair.
It seemed like your dream really took you somewhere.”
Oh, where do I start, and how should I begin?
It happened while practicing my violin…
Copyright © Kate Stark | Year Posted 2020
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