April 10, 2025

A sweet non-verbal student who loves musicals stepped on stage for the first time as part of a variety show at our school tonight. It was wonderful to see him blossom and fulfill this “life-long dream,” as he put it. I hope this isn’t the last time he participates in theatre, and I hope it can feed him well as this first meal seemed to be for him.

 Stage Sighs

As I watched my young friend

Step to stage tonight

Pushing his button

To mechanically announce his name

A smile of recognition

As the audience applauded

At this tiny recognition

His joy and fright

Unsure where to step

His watching others

Forgetting to be present

Because of the moment

He wanted to stare

And watch others

As he’d done so many times

Sitting on the sidelines

Wanting to know

how to be on stage

He admired it so much

So, now to stand on hallowed ground

With an audience around

It mesmerized him

Till one scene partner signaled

Him to join in

And start again

He woke

Breaking into his own

Pace and place

Enthusiastically remembering the steps,

Rocking, making happy noises

Showing he can be there for them

He takes his place

They to join him

Ending together

As one note