Karaoke

you’re the centre of attention
into the bright light
eye on the screen
no need to know the score
no need to know the melody
laugh at notions of tonal harmony
put on a smile
take a breath
sing-along in your best Friday night voice
no embarrassment here
you might surprise
you might delight
you might horrify
in your enjoyment of the game’s challenge
put on a smile
take a breath
sing-along in your best Friday night voice
fools rush in where angels fear to tread
to err is human to forgive divine
hope springs eternal in the human breast
so sing-along in your best Friday night voice

Phil Saunders lives in Adelaide after times in Melbourne, Sydney and Christchurch. Currently a consultant in governance and operations quality control across disability and aged care portfolios, he has been a script- and copywriter, policy officer, magazine and report editor. His poetry has appeared in UK and Australian journals, on ABC Radio and previously in Poet’s Corner.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.