Just after I’d gone up
and crapped out all my nonsense
this older woman occupied the stage
and mentioned the anniversary of her son’s demise.
Way to kill my post-performance buzz, lady.

“I just don’t understand,” she read,
“You were taken away to go separate ways.”
The silent audience I had was visibly moved.
“I will see you soon, my dear,” she concluded her piece, “My son died today.”

I didn’t see anyone standing,
but they wanted to.

After reading, the former mother still had things to get off her chest.
“Sometimes there’s a reason. You meet someone in a store and you don’t know why,”
She looked out at the small crowd.
“And there’s something important about them.
“Just one little person might make a difference for you.
Or you might be the difference for.”

She scanned the room.
“God has a plan.”

Was God’s plan to step on my act?
‘Cuz that’s what happened, lady.
After we were all done, she came up to me to congratulate me
on what I’d said when onstage.
In the heat of the moment, I could not recognize her.