Before the Hands Fall

While the conductor holds her hands
above the finished chord,
a cough stays folded in a throat,
a programme slides towards the floor,
and someone with a coat half on
stops working at the second sleeve.

The pianist's foot is still against the pedal.
A low string trembles under the lid;
the woman in the coat can hear it
only when she stops
listening for the bus.

In the back row a child parts his hands,
then looks at all the hands around him
and waits.

The conductor lowers hers.
The child brings his together first.
The pianist lifts her foot.
Under the clapping,
the programme reaches the floor.