Quake

Poem based on childhood experience.

The world shakes as if dancing the rumba.
Distant maracas fill my head with sound.
The night's clumsy footing lurches, staggers;
A drunk with no traction.

The players have vanished, my solo on stage,
Roar of applause steals my breath.
Inside is squirming, twisting, gripping.
My fear is a mirror.

The moon's discordant melody, tuneless.
My heart the lyrics, drowned out by percussion.
Shadowed room shatters like a change of scene.
Pray the curtains fall soon.