Riding in an Elevator with a Nobel Prize Winner

Abstract

This poem came from two prompts from Rattle Magazine's open mic. One was to write a demi-sonnet, and the other was "someone says something strange to you in an elevator". I decided to make myself the person who said something strange because it does feel awkward to be in an elevator with a Nobel Prize winner. The inspiration for the comment was actually my partner who didn't know what else to write in the guest book after the celebration honoring Dr. Beutler's Nobel Prize win.