Ladie Who-Ha Does The "Worm" Poem by James P. Roberts

During a lengthy time-out
at the roller derby bout
as the crowd grows restless
and the mix of zebra-striped officials
and orange-shirted "go-fers"
congregate at the scorer's table

Ladie Who-Ha, waiting her turn
as the next Reservoir Dolls jammer,
suddenly flops to the track
and undulates up and down,
her forehead resembling the prow
of an 18th century barque cutting
through the Atlantic waters
while her skates rise and dip
in the manner of a fantail,
leaving white spume in its wake.

The crowd stands and cheers
as the other roller derby skaters
stomp the floor in noisy applause.
Like a caterpillar, Ladie Who-Ha inches
ahead, a wide smile on her sweat-sheened
face, her eyes -her best feature -joyous.
Heavily made up mascara glistens.

After a minute or so, Ladie Who-Ha stops,
jumps to her feet and bends in a gracious bow,
arms flung behind her as one foot crosses
over the other, skates clacking in unison.
Another memorable evening
at the Mad Rollin' Dolls derby bout.
Her flopsy-mopsy image stays with me
on the long night-shadowed walk home.