Layer Cake

Dying stars of colored light burn,
000000The pupils go cat-like; the retinas sizzle
This colored fire plays tricks–transforms a dull article of metallic construction
000000into an hallucination

A thousand tiny, focused suns break dams
0000of perspiration,
0000of concentration,
0000of fatigue

00000000000000000000000000The crowd is eclipsed; it no longer exists.

0000BOO-WAH says the drum, without warning

00000000Space.

00000000000000Repetition.

0000000000000000000000000The theme is uttered.

0000Theme
0000000000that substance, that essence of anything,
0000000000000000that application to the outer context.

Ivory dances with substance, then falls off keyboard’s edge,
00000into a 32nd note pattern,
00000000000a brief swing interim.

A momentary aside of deposed coolness precedes an EXPLOSION
00000of panic and stabbing concentration.

Cymbals shine, toms crash, framework dissolves, the Parthenon caves in.

Rhythmic debris flies from the platform.

A maniacal left hand climbs upward, threatening the sweet melody of the right,
Fingers dance with blinding speed from high to low frets

Piano-demon is harnessed—

Tranquility is restored.

---

Nicholas Boykin, age 17
Merced, California
Golden Valley High School
Teacher: Marilynne Pereira