adrenaline rush

i know it’s bad
when the drone of
my own voice
threatens to put
even me asleep
and i watch the heads
slowly nod
jerk up
but eventually succumb
to gravity
then i use the words
that magically energize
everyone in the room
“take out a piece of paper
and something to write with--
we are going to take a pop quiz
on this”

©2009-Art Belliveau