Behind The Curtain Poem by Brian Rihlmann

In the dream he appeared
on a stage
before a large crowd
with their mouths
sewn shut,
and hands tied
so they couldn't
plug their ears
when he spoke.

A great opportunity,
and yet
his own tongue revolted,
uttering a stream
of gibberish,
as the people
squirmed against their bonds,
shook their heads yes and no,
and mumbled in reply.

And he thought
he still heard laughing
through the humming chorus
of their lips,
as he turned
and vanished
behind the curtain.