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Story of a Fallen Star

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Published: 18th March 2022

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "Writing Challenge - X'd poems second chance" contest sponsored by Constance La France (Judged 2nd January 2023)

A pantomime is a form of theatrical family entertainment whose target audience is both children - and very much adults too. They tend to involve music, topical jokes, innuendo, slapstick comedy and audience participation. (Note that there is very little mime involved, if any at all)

They are a Great British Christmas tradition.

Just Before Curtain Up Oh Yes! My career!.. It's behind me. And the bright lights I’d worked so hard for Now they’ve airbrushed my face That looks so out of place On that poster they’ve stuck to my door. My name is no longer top billing It’s been pushed further down out of view By some rich kid who blogs From his channel of vlogs And gets paid just to like all this too. The curtain goes up in five minutes But I think it should really stay down They haven’t a clue What real actors do On the stage in this backwater town. I’m the oldest guy here in this cesspit And this dressing room’s cramped and too cold The 'luvvies' will shout That I’ve sadly sold out Unlike seats for this show so I’m told. I’m supposed to walk out there all happy To some kids who just couldn’t care less And keep 'doing my thing' And get them to sing - I’m washed out, fed up and a mess. Not Long After Curtain Down I just wanted to say a big 'Thank You!' The three of us had a great time I’m not sure where to start So I’ll speak from my heart We loved you and your great pantomime. My husband and I brought our ill son And now value what laughter is worth We saw sickness displaced By wide smiles on his face Despite his short time left on earth. You brought us much joy, light and comfort From the stage to the seats where we sat No medicine or pills Can cure our son's ills But for two hours - tonight - you did that!

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Susan Ashley

Date: 12/17/2022 5:46:00 PM

Dear Gary, your poignant poem is endearing and ingenious. I adore the contrasting emotions, the vivid imagery and the wonderful (limerick) rhythm and rhymes. Simply splendid, your artistry shines! Congratulations for your excellent win in Constance's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Gary Radice
Date: 12/18/2022 3:02:00 AM

Thanks Susan. Once again your wonderful words make this hobby of mine all the more worthwhile. I deliberately chose the limerick form to fit in with the pantomime feel to the poem. Originally I set out to make this a humourous piece but at the last minute decided to turn the fun on its head and add poignancy for effect instead. It's where the words took me. :) Merry Christmas to you and your family. Cheers - Gary

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 12/8/2022 2:08:00 PM

What a lovely poem, Gary: A real winner in my eyes. We never know the people’s lives we touch. Thanks for sharing this wise story. Congrats on your top placements with this poem. Cheers, SuZ

Gary Radice
Date: 12/9/2022 3:18:00 AM

Thank you Suz. You're so right..we never get to know all the people's lives we touch. It makes it all the better when we do. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Constance La France

Date: 12/8/2022 5:13:00 AM

Gary, your poem is powerful and meaningful. Congratulations on your win in my Writing Challenge - X'd Poems Second Chance, I love the message, it takes courage to step out on a stage, well done, blessings

Gary Radice
Date: 12/8/2022 5:33:00 AM

Thanks Constance. We are all our own harshest critics and sometimes all it takes is a compliment from a third party to help us see the bigger picture and the good in ourselves... Your wonderful contest has this concept at its heart. Cheers - Gary

I Am Anaya

Date: 12/7/2022 4:11:00 PM

Sorry to read below that you are feeling ill, Gary God speed! I found the protagonist in your story sardonic with a little bit of jaded, but with all good reason, a lot of us can relate sooner or later. Then the praises, makes it all worthwhile! I realized that you used the rhythm of Limerick form, unique. Congratulations Gary on your high placement! ~Anaya

Gary Radice
Date: 12/8/2022 2:21:00 AM

Hi Anaya. Hopefully getting over it all now but its taking its time. Just the thought of tapping a keyboard, let alone composing any poetry is a task in itself at the moment but I'm staying positive. Thanks for your comments. I played around with several forms of rhyme but found that the limerick form just seemed to fit so well with the flow of speech from the characters. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Janice Canerdy

Date: 12/6/2022 8:18:00 AM

Gary, this is such a moving, expressive poem. We ALL need to feel appreciated, don't we?! CONGRATS on your win. Janice

Gary Radice
Date: 12/7/2022 2:19:00 PM

Thanks so much Janice. I've yet to read the other winning poems due to an inability to concentrate for more than 2 minutes inbetween my coughing (chest infection). Once this thing has passed I shall catch up on all my reading (and writing) that I'm way behind with that at present. Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 4/9/2022 9:49:00 PM

I guess every performer goes through the phase of feeling displaced by someone newer, younger, less talented but with more popular appeal. Your first half stands well by itself as a sort of "tears of the clown" statement, but the 2nd half really lights up the sky with what performing is all about - reaching people. Sadly, too many don't receive letters such as this, so their audience feels like a sea of faces. Beautifully thought out and presented, Gary, a real delight to read today. Hope you are enjoying your weekend ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 4/10/2022 4:10:00 AM

Hi John. Thank you for your wonderful comments. I envisioned the mother of the ill boy knocking at the door of the actor's dressing room straight after the show to tell him how the family felt but the idea of a letter works equally well. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Geoffrey Brewer

Date: 3/24/2022 3:03:00 PM

What a brilliant heartwarming and uplifting juxtaposition of two chapters in a brief story. I was really moved by this creation. The emotional response qualifies it as a true work of art. Congratulations! Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 8/12/2022 2:01:00 AM

RIP Mr GEOFFREY BREWER Sadly Geoffrey died not long after I wrote this poem. He was a brilliant poet and always found time to comment on my work and encourage me. This was his last comment he left for any of my work so I'd like to dedicate this poem to his memory. Thanks Geoffrey. Rest in Peace and forever a Shining Star. Cheers - Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 3/25/2022 4:55:00 AM

Thank you Geoffrey. Its wonderful to hear that a poem of mine has managed to elicit such an emotional response. Mission accomplished. :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 3/22/2022 9:13:00 AM

So lovely, Gary. I think we all need a dose of laughter in these sad times. what a nice sip of love's tonic you gave that old, washed-up comic.

Gary Radice
Date: 3/22/2022 12:35:00 PM

Thank you Ann. This poem is loosely based / a rewrite / of an older poem I wrote early on at Poetry Soup called 'The Critic'..sometimes we are our own worst critic and don't see what good others see in us. I blame it on the pressures endured in life's very own pantomime. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 3/20/2022 12:09:00 PM

Congratulations Gary! Laughter is by far the greatest gift. The magic of making the audience scared or to make them cry once awed me, but I came to hate that; humankind's nature is so prone to the plagues of fear and sorrows. Laughter is the best gift of all! I appreciate your gift, what a wonderful joy! Pantomime is a great form, it is often hysterical! Congratulations on your win, as well as the top prize of making a child happy! Laughter is truly the best medicine! :) ~BJ

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2022 1:41:00 PM

Thank you BJ. I have to point out that the actor in the poem isn't me just in case you thought it was. :) I couldn't agree more with you BJ about laughter. The Reader's Digest used to have a small section called 'Laughter is the best medicine' - I would always look out for that section whenever I got the chance to read the publication...usually in the dentist waiting room. :) Thanks so much for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/20/2022 11:22:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful/creative write. Loved your ending. Yes, much better than medicine/pills. Have a blessed day..........

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2022 1:44:00 PM

Thank you Paula. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Anoucheka Gangabissoon

Date: 3/20/2022 9:40:00 AM

Congratulations for the placement and thanks for the entry :)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2022 1:47:00 PM

And thank you Anoucheka for a great contest. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/18/2022 8:52:00 AM

A story so well told, Gary. You have a real gift for this kind of writing. It does not come easy. Has to be raw talent! I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/18/2022 9:01:00 AM

Thank you Milt. This poem is a complete overhaul and total refit of an earlier poem (now deleted) I wrote when I first joined Poetry Soup in late 2019. I wasn't too happy with the original but much happier with this. I appreciate your comments as always. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/18/2022 5:44:00 AM

Just when he thought he was over the hill suddenly realised that some of the old magic was still there. A happy ending to this touching verse Gary. Best of luck and enjoy your weekend. Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/18/2022 11:11:00 AM

Oh no he didn't lol

Gary Radice
Date: 3/18/2022 6:23:00 AM

Thanks Tom. Yes, spot on. The old magic remains no matter where you are... Oh yes it does! :) Cheers - Gary