At the Concert

In the school gym
the children’s choir was stacked
five deep on bleachers
black pants, black shirts
white gloves

lights went out on cue
all chatter stopped

the children’s gloves were illuminated
fluorescent green
they began to sing with their hands
a Christmas carol
in complete silence

with a steady, concentrated flow
hands gesturing
arms circling in and around
up and down

the language of their hands
eloquent and clear
the words and phrases familiar
by the second verse

all is calm
all is bright



Catherine Heighway