I didn't know all it took was a pillow

she walked slowly
on the outside of her feet
showing comically, palms flat to the ground
that she wanted to be quiet

thick rubber soles quiet during a shaking cello solo

she set a pillow down smoothly
as she sat on the wooden bench
a silent layer between her and the discomfort of the stage
her eyes, big and hard behind glasses
sagged downward, tracing the line of fat lips

(i sat on the wooden bench facing her
my tailbone sharp against the aged wood,
my eyes closed against too many melodies)