From a poem originally penned at the Florida Writers Association’s 2011 Awards Dinner as I watched a new author read from her first book.

A Reading, Rewarded

Words whipped left and right
spoken aloud to still the fright
they might waft away before the
book could be deemed profound.
 
It had been such a lengthy fight
to reach this exalted height
and gather strength and
stand there, jeweled and gowned.
 
Baring soul just to recite
all the words of love and light
that had erupted like
a spring too tightly wound.
 
Finally, pats on back that night
announced the true delight
echoed by this newborn fan
that another laureate was crowned.

By Marilyn Paluszak