prologue -
you knew what was needed, understood it, and said yes
none did invite or entice or anticipate
it overtook behind
to ask for the play, that was easy
something there, something small
you knew what was needed, understood it, and said yes
scene -
near to, it was new and begun
all the usual steps - too many usual steps
this way and again and further
as the stage grew
one word to end, none to remain
these few to change and were spoken
as the stage changed
unmarked you moved, danced across the page
those acts which denied the play
as your stage increased
curtain -
lines that thrilled
vibrant score and woven costume
but a different play
lights dimmed, seats emptied
tale ended, but -
somehow, you imagined it:
overwrought
under-produced
lines delivered wrongly
poor direction
laurels deadened mid-cast, but -
somehow you insisted that one bad actor closed it.
all of it
you were right
though you named the wrong player
on that stage, reading those lines, was you
not penned, though rewritten, for you
sent, delivered, but not accepted, by you
critique if you will, but review
(orig post 6/29/19)