Written for:  Poetics Aside #281, Write a “next in line” poem.

Woman of steely curled hair
and billowing flowered dress,
Mrs. S. could knock you out
with her sneeze-provoking,
powdery perfume. Judgmental
and fear-inducing in front
of the class, she was also
in charge of the glee club.
We all stood in line, trembling,
to try out for this honor.
As Mrs. S. pounded the piano keys
with aplomb, each child had
to sing, America, the Beautiful.
Ruthless, she would cut you off
with two bars, if you did not
have, “the voice.” Mine shook
as I attempted to sing. After
a couple of lines, she said,
“No, too many altos already.
Next!”