It’s open-mic night at Flat Out Coffee & Tea

over on East 11th

Three songs or ten minutes which ever comes first

Been there couple times before to check it out

Figures tonight’s good as any

Watches manager put her backpack in office

unslings black A-style mandolin from her shoulder

Looms larger than her five-foot-three, nonchalant as housecat

steps to mic positions self on stool amidst background chatter

First notes finger-picked mandolin followed by twangy somewhat nasally alto

giving unadorned voice with wide vocal range to original song

where Carter Family meets Utah Phillips meets Ani DiFranco

Audience and staff alike struck     absolutely     silent

Pulls all attention to her


               Figures not bad for first-night open mic