Best Curtain Up Poems
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!
My anticipation mounting as I walk into the lobby
A trip to the theatre is my greatest love, my hobby
With feelings of great wonder and excitement overflowing
For only a calamity can really stop me going
With my expectations rising, well it isn’t so surprising
I am soaking up the auras of the souls long gone before us
Moving to the auditorium an usher guides me to my seat
I sit down slowly, looking forward to this special treat
The curtains looking sumptuous, rich and velvet, long and red
I await for them to part to see the magic that’s ahead
The excitement it is palpable, sends shivers down my spine
The curtains draw back slowly and the spotlight starts to shine
Clad in Japanese kimonos players enter from stage right
As a travelling musician plays his songs into the night
For he’s in love with Yum Yum and his name is Nanki Poo
For the son of the Mikado this betrothal is taboo
The music becomes louder, my heart it beats so fast
As the show begins and transports me way back into the past
But all too soon the end is nigh, the audience still on a high
Joyous and exuberant and sad they have to say goodbye
Returning to the stage Players bowing one by one
Audience cheering loudly for the fine work they have done
I stand and clap and share with them my great appreciation
Wondering how they feel about our mutual admiration
An Actor’s life, it surely has to be a dream come true
It also has to be the hardest thing for one to do
For witnessing an Actor at the peak of their career
Is the ideal way to spend a day, the perfect panacea
written 8th September 2017
9th May 2021
Contest Name The Audience Falls Silent
Sponsor Kai Michael Neumann
Contest Strand Choice L
Sponsor Brian Strand
HONORABLE MENTION
Contest Your first poem on Poetry Soup
Sponsor Silent One
FIRST PLACE
Contest Name Impress me with an old poem
Sponsor Poet Destroyer A
8th October 2020
No 1290
Sponsor Brian Strand
Once upon a time there was a king
Bing of words, ping of bugs-to toting
Ring the curtain up
Yelled out Doctor Tupp
The King fell down and broke his crown-sssling
sowing a melange
of veined wafers
viridescent shavings
leaves upon leaves
chaotically neat
layered in tranquillity
for the theatrical show
of first feet
premiere wellies
curtain up at dawn
cue the early walkers
after a night’s forlorn
which unseen hand
spritely close
knitted the forest
cross-stitched floor
taking their time
perfectionist
preparing fallen
Jenga sticks
behind the scenes
but never seen
Jack in the Green
Out on the edge of something bigger than I
Not looking behind me I can’t reason why
It’s a matter of faith; it’s a matter of fact
I have to go now, I have to act
I cannot wait any longer my time has come
Will it go quickly, asking, have some
No fear I feel as I get prepared
I look across, the others seem scared
One final breath I take as I go
I’m on; it’s my turn, start up the show
the curtain up
the stage is set
the paint still wet
on props
orchestra tunes
starting soon
excitement in my heart
a tragedy, a comedy
a script of drama and love
lines rehearsed
totally immersed
a "Tony" award for sure
final curtain call
still enthralled
as you play
for an audience
of two
My first test, easy like taking toys from a spoilt brat, now I know I can take what I want without issue.
Now time to up the anti, push hard or go home crying
I scour my audience reading each one like an open book, searching for my chosen one.
I pick them out, start by studying their movements and learning their ways until I am their secret shadow.
Now the grand finale I set the stage for the final performance
My nerves are like steel not even a slight difference to normal, curtain up soon.
I know where to be, so I wait patiently staring into darkness with me even darker thoughts.
Drifting into my own world, the countless scenarios and the many many ways in which I could perform this service.
Each time I feel a sense of joy that I have really achieved something good although I require no thanks.
My adoring fans always take pleasure in seeing my work, though sometimes I feel I should leave a trail of breadcrumbs to help.
My scene partner is just arriving to unknowingly start us off, let's hope they don't disappoint us.
As for you my friend I have enjoyed our conversations truly. Alas I must depart and this means our session is over.
Please don't be sad what I'm doing for you is transcendent almost a release if you will,
The role you were chosen for and it's time to set the scene.
I changed my shower curtain yesterday.
I was too short so I had to strain on my tiptoes to get each ring in place.
My mind was not in my bathroom with me.
It was transported to last September, when I moved into the apartment I used to share with him.
I was too short to put my shower curtain up so he did it for me.
I wanted to ask someone to help this time, too.
I only had a few rings in place when I crumpled onto the bathroom floor crying.
He was there for everything.
I see him in everything I do and every place I go.
I can’t go to Burger King without thinking about the countless Impossible Whoppers we ate.
I can’t watch The Good Place without thinking about when we stayed up watching season four until 3am.
I especially can’t go to Kroger without being reminded of when we bought the vodka and fruit punch for that night.
I can’t even change a damn shower curtain.
I can’t find a corner of this Earth that doesn’t remind me of him.
I have been searching for something that can just be mine to associate.
But I think the problem is that when someone is constantly lingering in your subconscious, they stick themself onto every single experience and memory until it’s all infected.
I wish there were antibiotics for people.
Curtain up
Situation
Action
Drama
Response
Suspense
Tears
Fears
Emotions
Reactions
Darkness
Death
Loss
Moment
Despair
Anguished
Disturbed
Spotlight
Finale
Rejoice
Hope regained
Bows
Curtain comes down
Captivation
Audience applause