Opening Night

People flood into the movie theater

Bearing heavy bags of popcorn,

Balancing sodas in their hands

Searching frantically for a seat

Among the straight gray rows, already full

Loud, excited murmurs sweep through the crowd

As the anticipation rises through the air

People fix their bright eyes on the screen,

Expectant

Waiting.

The lights finally dim

Chatter subsides to hushed whispers

People make a final shift in their seats,

Then gaze raptly at the screen

The theater is dark; now

The movie begins.