modest thanks

I was caught looking at the audience
instead of over their heads
they were happy enough
my skinned skinny knees bled
only little, by this point

I was pushed off the cart
I used to own, it did not wow them
there were groans of incredulous
pity, a balcony giggle

there was charcoal dust back stage
it added little to the grime earned
from rolling in embarrassment.
I prayed for booing, then head home
to sit in favorite chair

that damn chair creaks
I will throw it out the door