Public Trouble

Two friends were strolling through a crowded mall,
When Jimmy clipped a stall and sent phone cases astray.
Sebastian whirled, “With that you're drawing heat, that’s all.”
Jimmy grinned and posed there with a showman’s gall,
“They noticed us? I knew we’d steal the show today.”
A random guard approached them, carrying a card.
Sebastian tried to smile and dodge the guard’s gaze.
But Jimmy bowed too deeply, “We’ve trained so hard.”
Sebastian hissed, “Keep bowing and we’ll both get barred.”
“Why's that?" Jimmy asked. “They question talent with praise.”
The guard said, “Sir, you’re blocking half the crowd.”
Jimmy bowed and waved as shoppers filmed him there.
Sebastian groaned, “Please stop performing quite so loud.”
But Jimmy spun about and nearly slipped, far too proud,
“They love our style. Can’t you feel the buzz in the air?”
A mop bucket rolled forward and clattered toward the door,
Then Jimmy stumbled, bowing at the crowd’s feet.
Sebastian grabbed his sleeve and rushed him across the floor,
Jimmy glanced behind, “They’re waiting for an encore.”
“That wasn’t joy. You’re drawing too much heat.”

Poem Card


Public Trouble
One mall mishap turns into Jimmy’s imagined spotlight.

Scene Images


Scene One
Jimmy turns a mall mishap into imagined applause.
Scene Two
A security warning becomes Jimmy’s moment to bow.
Scene Three
The crowd starts filming while Jimmy keeps performing.
Scene Four
Sebastian tries to pull Jimmy away before things get worse.