scrugs

she appeared tentative at the start. mentioned later that it had taken 3 songs to shake out the hall acoustics, and that she’d add 3 on as a thanks for indulgence — a generous gesture, above and beyond. still, the mix remained a bit off, with her voice coming on stronger than perhaps she wanted. later still, when a soft slow number came around, she unhappily shut it down — it wasn’t working out for her. she remarked sadly about the gaping void between stage & audience, strongly enthused but seated up till then. apparitions of doubt & vulnerability swirled about briefly as the performers huddled…. and then, with little hesitation and roaring vocal support, the crowd responded to her appeal, abandoning their seats & rolling forward steadily towards her and the band, filling in the void, cheering her on. for no additional service charge, and amid the commotion and bright lights, shimmering fragility had risen up, cast about for direction, teetered on a high wire, and then sailed off gracefully into welcoming outstretched arms.