12 Sep A Poem for Meat Loaf

I wrote this poem when I was 13 and won a radio station meatloaf recipe contest to see Meat Loaf – the performer – in concert and meet him backstage. It was my first time on an airplane, my first time in a limousine and a glimpse of what my life in the corporate event industry would look like. It was also my first taste of fame as the radio station, 630 CHED, announced, “Tracey Bell!” as the winner throughout the summer and played the recording of me screaming into the phone when I heard I won.

The rest of my entry was a masterpiece, a sculpture of Meat Loaf in his tuxedo, sitting on top of a giant pan of papier mache meatloaf with a tiny bottle of ketchup beside him. I used a beer bottle for his body and made his hands and face out of dough I made with flour, salt and water.

I had front row seats. His performance was amazing, so dramatic, I could see sweat flying off him. During encores, the limo driver told me that my friend and I would miss our flight home if we stayed any longer. The Deejay chaperone said it was up to me.

I was dancing in the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games the next morning. Of course the two most exciting events of my young life were back to back. I chose to leave without going backstage.

We still missed the flight. I didn’t take any pictures, not even of my contest entry. My ticket stub is somewhere.

I can see, hear and feel it all in my mind, including the Greyhound bus ride home and running into position at Commonwealth Stadium.

It was a good example of what working in the corporate events industry would be like. I worked my heart out on a creative proposal then ended up with back to back events. The first one ran long, there were transportation issues, troubleshooting was required, sleep was sacrificed and I pulled it all off with a smile on my face.