Poetry Slammed and Surprised

Having resigned herself to her usual table and cradling the soup bowl like coffee cup to her mouth. Eliza sighed.
After the word reached her of the results of the collage games. And of the Karna finally recieved..,
She didn't want to really want him badly hurt.
But -
Sighing again she realized.
Even a medicinal pill can be hard to swallow before it can do any good.
Suddenly - the light for the stage went on.
It wasn't open mike night per se but once the stage tech could be bribed into aligning the lights for thier set...
Hold the phone -
Was that lumbering shape the military monikered muscle man of the spoiled similan
"A Poem by Garret"
Eliza's hazel eyes widened in both surprise and approval. To be revealing of his true name on such a location either proved his bravery or vulnerability to be in such a place.
Yet most likely was because it added a level of annonimity.
Still -
The overhead light glared; a deep scarlet red.
It was frightening,
Threatning..
He cleared his throat - it sounded like matches striking.
"Brad with Tank.
Bad."
The light changed to an aqua blue.
His features softened and oddly enough - so did she.
But she was enchanted.
Mesmerized.
Like a drink of water?
"Tank without Brad.
Sad."
The color remained but felt comfortable.
Soothing.
"What is a king without a throne?
What is a solider without a war?
Alone."
The light turned white and held. Tank didn't move.
He slumped in his shoulders to the polite snaps.
Obviously defeated?
Three times in one day.
Perhaps he didn't understand typical poetry protocol?
Eliza stood, not caring her trademark baret was askew like a mushroom left in the wake of a careless hiker. The tears traced her cheeks like Laffites escape routes through Louisiana...
And clapped.
Soon the rest in attendance caught on and joined in.
Giving the gentle giant the validation needed.
He bowed slightly and backed into the darkness.
Well!
Exhaling finally and taking the final gulp of her now stone cold but with reknewed appreciation of the genteel giaint.
She'd have to make a house call.