Night Shoes

(iambic tetrameter)

The curtains fell and wrapped the stage
as lights and accolades became
another yesterday once more.
Another night and one more show,
another play that doesn't last
beyond the venue alley ways.
Applause became a murmur and
the shuffle of impatient shoes
now slowly faded out the door.
The Company is dressed and gone,
a spectral quiet stalked the din
and chased it through the backstage halls.
Conspicuous, the silence fell
when last the alley door was locked,
no one to care if I was late,
no one to listen for the gate
that creaked at midnight's lonely bells
as eighteen times Westminster tolled
down where the Phantom truly walks
in night shoes where the echoes talk.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Dear Craig, such a beautiful haunting piece, as intelligently composed as it is poetically expressed! Such a striking finale "down where the Phantom truly walks/in night shoes where the echoes talk" - a hint of tragedy within the mystery. Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Toney Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Craig, yours is a haunting poem of loneliness and the sounds and echoes of the dead of night. Love the backdrop of the theater and later reference to the Phantom. Your iambic tetrameter is spot on. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 12 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 13 has already started.
Godwin Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Having just finished (as though I ever stop tweaking) a blank verse poem, I especially appreciate what you so flawlessly wrote. The emotions resonated with me. Your poem is the full package, and I congratulate you on your placement. (does the women below me know she's sideways? looks painful) Are you English? I know your last name is but that's common in America. I know, my curiosity has no bounds/manners. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Godwin Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I love New Hampshire. Dad was stationed in Mass for my 1st and 2nd grade years. So, when a child and later an adult, I experienced vacations in every New England state, all are beautiful. New England thrills the senses, and mankind has mostly left nature alone, don't care if it's for tourist profit, only that it's so. I thoroughly enjoyed your share. Though not by design, we haven't actually conversed (is this actually conversing, yes, me thinks in 2025 it is.) All the best, CayCay
Cornish Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Dear CayCay---yes, the more proper form for this is blank verse - you are among the few that would know that!? Darlene is a sweetie (perhaps napping?) I think Cornish lives on both sides of the "pond", but yes, back in the 1860's some of my relatives came over from Cornwall and settled in Pennsylvania (they were tinsmiths), and eventually matriculated (I know - invented usage) to New England (NH)so there was born and still reside until winter flies me south 'til spring!
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 5, 2019 at 5:34 PM
Hello Craig Cornish, Love it!A haunting tale. Enjoyed! Have a nice evening my friend.
Williams Avatar
June 1, 2019 at 6:59 AM
An excellent write, Congratulations on POTW Craig....Maria :)
Romios Avatar
June 1, 2019 at 2:37 AM
Congrats Craig, this is just a masterpieriece of Poetic art, it hit me because of my years as a ballet dancer. That last line is stupendous! Panagiota Romios
Nicole Avatar
May 26, 2019 at 6:54 PM
"The curtains fell and wrapped the stage" Yes, night is like a play. The Mystery of it all. Silence becoming more intense, yet- sound spreads throughout the dark shadows. You certainly have a way with words. Expressive and powerful at the same time. Congratulations Craig, on Poem of the Week. ~ Brandy
Marcum Wong Avatar
May 26, 2019 at 4:14 PM
Excellent Craig! Congratulations on POTW honors! : )
Wanter Avatar
May 26, 2019 at 10:35 AM
This is so haunting and written so well as is par for you. Congratulations!!
Kitchin Avatar
May 26, 2019 at 5:27 AM
Congratulations on POTW Craig, excellent imagery, makes me think of a haunted opera I have been to!
Canerdy Avatar
May 25, 2019 at 7:27 PM
CONGRATS on your well-deserved win, Craig! Janice
Gauthier Avatar
May 25, 2019 at 6:03 PM
Congrats on your win, Craig.
Dietrich Avatar
May 24, 2019 at 9:25 PM
wow, PERFECT meter in this well constructed poem, Craig. What a clever take on the theme. Wow!
Dietrich Avatar
May 24, 2019 at 9:25 PM
also, thanks for what you said on my poem for the firemen.
Leiser Avatar
May 23, 2019 at 10:52 PM
Excellent iamb meter, Craig! (Especially liked “conspicuous, the silence fell..) Intriguing story line with that nice twist at the end! A fave! :)
Awtry Avatar
May 21, 2019 at 6:00 PM
empty, lonely, loud silence... excellent. FAV
Callus Avatar
May 21, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Beyond the stage and the accolades...the soul of the theatre makes its way through the silence. An excellent rendition worthy of more applause than the play itself. Regards // paul (a fav)
Onclaud Avatar
May 20, 2019 at 3:33 PM
wrenching as night tormented by the sense of isolation from the shadow of the opera, craig... and the silence screams through your riddled lines...take a bow!...huggs
Lawless Avatar
May 20, 2019 at 6:17 AM
Great take on the contest theme Craig. An eerie walk through the final curtain call.
La France Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Craig, this is so beautifully penned, I was enthralled with each Iambic word, a winner and a FAV for me ~
Cornish Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 9:19 PM
Very kind words Constance, thank you.
Gorelick Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Love this, I could feel the quiet, the darkness..BG
Cornish Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 9:18 PM
Thanks so much Barbara
Parker Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 10:06 AM
You painted a sense of loneliness and a place and time where each step can be heard as too loud, great atmosphere
Cornish Avatar
May 19, 2019 at 10:40 AM
Thank you Dear Frederic
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