Terry Flood Poet Rhyme

My Final Curtain

No encore demanded, I stand alone
No applause as I hang up my ‘microphone’
But what do they care, for no empty chair
Has ever acknowledged good tone

I took to this stage in a different age
I think then, the Stones were the rage
Yet, I’ve appeared here, daily for years
And sung like a songbird uncaged

But this, my last bow, arthritic now
Elicits no ‘Bravo’ or ‘Wow’
I gave it my best, my stage put to rest
A field I can no longer plough

For fifty years hired, tomorrow retired
This caretaker? No longer required
So thanks for the chance, to sing and to dance
Enacting the dreams I desired

My time to go, my time to rest
The silence now, inside my chest
Applause resounds, my lights go down
I take my leave, where I lived best

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Indiana Shaw November 26, 2019 at 6:59 PM Sad for the final curtain to go down on this act - especially when them darn Stones are still at it . . . : ( Indiana Shaw November 27, 2019 at 2:51 PM Not at all, it was made quite clear in the 4th verse, I was as lost as you to some comments made, so just went with the flow, the thought of the caretaker stood on a empty stage provokes a lot of imaginary, perhaps his last night was spent singing "I did it my way" with a tear in his eye . . . Terry Flood November 27, 2019 at 4:40 AM Thanks Indiana. I’ve taken the liberty of adding a foreword to this poem. It would be interesting to see if opinions change in any way.

Curtis Moorman December 15, 2018 at 2:52 AM Terry, your poem is a tremendous tribute to a sterling career of entertaining others because you truly care. I puts me in mind of some of the greats in our land -- Elvis, Glenn Campbell, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, Johnny Mathis --- the list goes on and on. I applaud you for your career as a singer/entertainer, and as a poet who can put his life into words that are pleasant to read. Congratulations and Merry Christmas.

Susan Ashley December 2, 2018 at 6:08 PM Your poem is such an intimate portrayal of personal reconciliation so beautifully and emotionally expressed. Congratulations, Terry, on your wonderful and well deserved first place win. Warmest wishes.. Susan Terry Flood December 2, 2018 at 6:14 PM Thankyou Susan. Very much appreciated.

Eve Roper December 1, 2018 at 11:03 PM A wonderful well written intimate poem,Terry, congratulations on your 1st place win. Terry Flood December 2, 2018 at 3:01 AM Thanks Eve. Guess it wasn’t too bad, considering my first idea for the contest was something about the last mammoth.... weird how the human mind works.

Funom Makama December 1, 2018 at 12:32 PM Beautiful... So beautiful! Keep it up souper. Terry Flood December 1, 2018 at 1:37 PM Thankyou Funom. Appreciated.

Anne-Lise Andresen December 1, 2018 at 11:18 AM - Many beautiful and deeply moving poems for this contest ... congratulations on your win, Terry :) - hugs & happy weekend // Anne-Lise :)

Silent One December 1, 2018 at 10:41 AM Brilliant poem Terry, you captured the moment perfectly... Great take on the contest also.. Congratulations on your first place in the contest.. Terry Flood December 1, 2018 at 1:34 PM Thanks. It’s nice to ‘succeed’ with something serious rather than my usual comic.

Wendy Watson November 28, 2018 at 9:58 AM I think this is wonderful, Terry. There were some delightful images here but I hope that you still enjoy the therapeutic, joyful power of song for your own pleasure. Terry Flood November 28, 2018 at 10:15 AM Thanks Wendy. No autobiography in this, although I do sing incessantly. I’m just a basically happy guy. Mind you, I probably sound like a lion with a nail in its foot. Alas, if I’m not singing, im humming or whistling... IT DRIVES MY OTHER HALF BONKERS!!!