A Real Life

I marvel at how attentive you are, 
With your little ballerina feet kicking
As the movie flicks and the real rolls. 
Your mouth catching flies; coke stained, 
Discarded popcorn prompts a world to life. 

In here we are safe. 
And yet my love, my Principessa, 
How I long to tell you otherwise of out there, 
Beyond the screen, exists no cuddly bear to greet you, 
No princess to set free; nor happy ever after. 

To break this now, well, would be a death for both of us
When there is so much happiness before, 
Yes, in watching your eyes hop and skip
To every scene and sound moves a response in you. 
How this touches me and holds me back. 

Like death, the end comes in here too. 
There is no interval to hold it off. 
The big screen gives out and lights, in due time, 
Descend on us like vultures. 
Picking and pecking our backs until we leave. 

At least for now, we have an hour or so
Before the film, like life, rolls out 
It's blank black curtain, 
Before the long thin man at the end of the isle, 
Blinds us with his spot light of exits and great escapes. 

Just then, I imagine, I will have to drag you out of here
Screaming, like every father does - 
Wishing that the world would take over
And welcome you on stage with rapturous applause;
Throws flowers occasionally. 

Instead, the world is dark
And old with love gone off. 
There is no one telling us different. 
Except for a distant cry
Of a world we lost, beckons us back.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Suzadail Jr. Avatar
June 3, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Congrats Louis on your blank verse "A Real Life" being featured. Vince
Tugaff Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. Ernilando
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Louis, They do grow up too fast. And are smacked head on with reality and many choices. Congratulations on having your poem, "A Real Life" featured this week. Keep writing. Always, Dane
Tanaskow Avatar
May 31, 2009 at 1:51 AM
that's deep.
Moreno Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Louis, my belated congrats in making the semi finals...Raul
Brown Avatar
April 28, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it into the semi finals. Wishing you the best of luck in the finals. Love, Carol
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2009 at 3:59 PM
wonderfuly penned-charma malta)
Ehigiator Avatar
January 29, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Congratulations on your lovely poetry being featured this week..God Bless you and best wishes to you in your writing*Tyesha
Brown Avatar
January 28, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being chosen to feature this week Louis. May you have many more excellent poems featured. Love, Carol
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
January 26, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Congratulations Louis, on your poem "A Real Life" being featured. Vince
Winter Avatar
January 26, 2009 at 7:15 AM
Such an awesome write. Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week! Love, Shar
Curcio Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 5:00 PM
What a wonderful poem. So well written and insightful. Love the personification and the idea of all the world's a stage, and a father's wish that applause and flowers would come a daughters way - at least occasionally. Congratulations on being featured. On the strength of this poem alone I'm adding you as a favorite poet
 Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Interesting view in this poem. Gives the reader something to ponder. Congratulations on being featured this week. Keep on writing. Wishing you continued success. Karen
Richards Avatar
January 25, 2009 at 11:14 AM
A wonderful, descriptive poem. I can imagine that father, that daughter, sitting in the dark, watching....there is such a sadness having to come back into the world. Congratulations on this poem being featured this week! ~ Carrie
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