famous for a minute

waiting for a lifetime, millions of minutes
caught in the clogs of anonymous ordinariness
waiting, hoping, praying
to see my name in neon, ten feet high
the name's not terribly original,
John Gillian Smith
that day shone light a million watt lighthouse
a beacon for my lifetime of waiting
a simple lottery ticket, a simple name
a simpleton typing the news bulletin
eight eleven, pacific daylight time
"this evening the super jackpot winner
is a man from Wisteria Planes called
John Gillian Smith"

in a dreamlike haze, I didn't hear the rest,
oh jubilation, sweet sublime luck
the phones started ringing
their glorious bells
inebriating me for that thing called fame
as friends and family poured out their praise
for my diligent participation over the years
congratulations feels like being a king!
several minutes later, stunned, stupefied
they told me of the disclaimer on the air
something hideous like
being so sorry for
a mistaken announcement
lottery, winner, loser,
(yeah, story of my life)
John Gillian Smith
couldn’t continue in the limelight
the winning ticket
apparently purchased in Twin Creeks
on the other side of the country
and by a woman, not even a guy, named
Joan Gillian Smith.

good thing I didn't pop
that bottle of vintage champagne
although a good hangover is the only thing
to forget a single minute of nightmarish fame



famous for a minute
[2007.14.10…a]
Writer's Cramp Entry receiving Honorable Mention