May 4, 2016
Congratulations to Andrea Hurst, our “Whidbey Writes” featured writer for May. We’re pleased to be able to share her poem, “A Mouse in Flannel,” with you.
The purpose of “Whidbey Writes” is to encourage writers with a Whidbey connection to submit short fiction and poetry for publication in Whidbey Life Magazine, thereby giving our readers an opportunity to enjoy these creative writings. Throughout the past year, Whidbey Writes published monthly selections of short fiction and poetry online. The most popular of these entries was also published in the Fall/Winter 2015 print issue and soon to be out Spring/Summer 2016 issue.
We publish the original work of selected winners at the beginning of each month as part of Whidbey Writes. WLM congratulates Andrea and extends thanks to volunteer editors Heather Anderson, Mureall Hebert and Chris Spencer, who review submissions on Solstices and Equinoxes and pass on the work they enjoy most to Whidbey Life Magazine for publication online and in print.
This competition, originally created as a collaboration between Whidbey Life Magazine and the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, will now continue as part of the creative writing section of Whidbey Life Magazine.
To find out more about Whidbey Writes and the submission criteria, visit the Whidbey Writes Submission page. To see previously selected writings, visit the Whidbey Writes page here.
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A Mouse in Flannel
A Poem by Andrea Hurst
He pushed me onto the stage. His glare dared me to run.
I froze.
He pointed to the microphone. “Sing.”
Hundreds of people filled the auditorium. They stirred and waited.
I clutched the microphone and stared at my feet. Brown Birkenstocks, slightly
covered by a pink, nylon fancy dress. I wrapped my arms around me comforted
by the plaid, wool flannel shirt buttoned to the top.
Who dressed me today?
My heart beats in my frozen airways. I didn’t sing. Certainly not in
public.
Rustling from the seats prompted the piano player to hit his cords.
What was the song? I did not know the words.
My voice came out in a high squeak. A mouse in flannel.
The audition was over. Silence.
“Next,” he said dismissing me with a brisk wave.
My mother sang on stage.
My father sang on stage.
My sisters sang throughout the house.
But I…I was afraid of my voice.
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When not visiting local farmer’s markets or indulging her love for chocolate, Andrea Hurst is an author and literary agent. Her passion for books drives her to find and write stories that take readers on a journey to another place and leave them with an unforgettable impression. Find out more at: www.andreahurst.com.
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