"Queen Of Country Music"

My first entry in a Poetry Contest.

“Country Music Queen”

Any minute now I will awaken from this dream,
Surely , life will be normal and I’ll return
To Billie Jean.

But just to make sure that this scene isn’t true,
I’ll jump in the truck, go to the corner and to get a paper or two.

The store was busy , there were kids galore, and the little blond dressed in red sequins, by the door, held her baton proudly, and sported silver glitter in her hair, for tonight had been the local Christmas parade there.

The band members were milling and filling their cups with warm cider and cocoa before returning to the bus.
They shouted and chided each other in glee, and I thought to myself, no one is noticing me.

I knew that I was right about that dream, but on the phone Mamma said, “You’re on the front page Billie Jean.”

Paying for the papers I headed back to my truck, a light rain had started , I was thinking what luck! But I glanced at the parking lot on my way out, and there were scattered asphalt rainbows seeming to shout.

“Look at me! Look at me!, it’s my time to shine”, the puddles were growing and the colors sublime.

I felt pretty good being able to see, the brilliance of nature surrounding me.
But inside my head the nagging little doubt , was still ringing, this dream won’t hold out.

Someone had worked so hard that day, building a tumbleweed snowman to place on display. As the rain gently fell, his color was starting to run, for snow in a can spells trouble when wet, but his hat still perched cockily and his smile stayed as yet.

Even the traffic lights held their allure, for the mirror image cast on the wet pavement for sure.

I reached the hotel and got out of the truck, saw a couple holding hands and
Circling around, looking up, they invited me to join in their game, it’s our “Merry-go-Round of happiness! ”, they exclaimed.

I thanked them for the offer but continued on my way, this mission was calling me, and I needed to say.

Let this be real, not some crazy dream, let this be my life, the life of Billie Jean.

Tucking the papers under my arm , and entering the elevator, my song was on. I remained silent hoping to hear as that voice of mine rang out so clear.

I’m always amazed at this God given gift. And still, insecurities can set me adrift. As the door opened to my room, I settled in for the lonely night gloom.

Spreading those papers open wide on the bed, I tried to remain calm but I squealed out instead. The picture was taken last night you see, my first time on the opry, and it was heaven for me.

Bill Anderson in his soft precious voice, introduced me last night, and he compared my style to Tammy Wynette, God, what an honor, I’ll never forget! I sang with all of my heart “Queen of Country Music”, my newest song, but my heart beat so rapidly and too soon I was done.

I left the stage and “Naomi” grabbed my hand, “sweetheart you were great, but your hands are cold as ice”, someone bring this little girl a pair of gloves she’ll need them tomorrow night!”

I called Mamma back, and I screamed , “you were right!, I did play the opry ,and it happened last night. “ I love you Mamma, go back to bed, I’ll call you tomorrow when I more sane,” I said.

I grabbed the notepad from the nightstand next to the bed and jotted down quickly the line running in my head,
“Merry-Go-Round Of Happiness”, that’s a good line for a song. I needed to sleep but I wrote all night long.

It’s very difficult becoming a star overnight, it takes twenty years, and many long nights.