After the show....

I'm not super duper pleased with tonight's poem. It came after a muddle headed struggle and a couple false starts and fits. Here it is, no need for applause.

Appreciation

One person clapping is a sharp sound

Of mocking or the sad truth

A show that is wound

Or a bit uncouth

Two people clap and it can be warm

A welcome after a long absence

Breaking tension after the storm

Accomplices in life’s labyrinth

Three clap to a beat

Anonymous in the crowd

Cheered by the musician’s feat

With perky praise they endow

Four find a way to clap

Delighted with a surprised announcement

They stand united to map

A way to celebrate such pronouncements

Clappers five feel more alive

By giving a hearty cheer

To the colors deep in almost night sky

Below them firefly lights burning near

Six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Seems thunderous

From where this began

It builds and swells and ebbs

This is where it can swell our heads

Applause is inviting, alluring, uniting

It is a seduction like no other

Dividing brother against brother

Or bringing huge groups together

Strangers no more

Each keeping score

Opening locked doors