Of Dreams and Desolution: The Poetry of J. Douglas Stephenson

The Silence Before Applause

The Silence Before Applause

My heart, the metronome

Keeping steady time

Dyed scarlet and black

Deep red salvation

Slight ritard.

Soothing the soul

Warm on the lips

Iron and eternity

Last measure

Last beat

Last breath

And the silence before applause

J. Douglas Stephenson