Staring at the mirror’s image,
I see what others see;
but can they see the need for love
so deep inside of me?
I hear my laughter just as loudly
as those who see my smile;
but can they hear the tinge of sadness
that lingers for awhile?
My posture mocks a stately stance,
my gait is smooth and free;
but can they see the frightened child
huddled down within me?
Afraid of life’s uncertainties,
unsure of what’s to come;
feigned confidence...a good disguise,
for fear has made me numb.
The routines I have mastered
like a scripted matinee,
but none see behind the curtain
at the closing of the day.
The props, all neatly put aside,
the makeup washed away,
my weary soul sleeps peacefully,
despite another day.
Tomorrow brings another chance
as I wait in the wings,
to take another curtain call
in the drama that life brings.
Days when it rained
Tapping rhythm on the rooftop
The children stayed inside
And would put on
short plays
unscripted theatrical performances Impromptu entertainment
With a stage made of pillows
mismatched sheets for theater curtains
hung with wistful string
Costumes put together from past Halloweens.
Actors portraying vibrant quirky characters
The last curtain call
was many years ago
I still hear echoes of soliloquies
hysterical laughter and extended applause
Ringing from the past.
Now when it rains
The roof leaks tears
In the puddles left behind.
All that can be seen
Is the reflection of an old man.
JSB
you’ve cast a spell on me;
your eyes shine brighter than any spotlight
and i’m captive on
the stage of your attention
your hair flutters around you-
the brightest confetti i’ve ever seen
your lips whisper those three words
that incantation to my heart
a quick tap of one-two-three;
your fingers are wrapped in mine
and the whole world still;
the earth is holding its breath
your lips whisper those words
that spell that will make me yours
but you’ve already captured me
long long ago
before the stage was set
you turned to me that day
the moonlight framed your silhouette perfectly
a paid actor for the climactic scene
you turned to me that night
a smile brighter than the sun upon your face
your lips whisper that one word
the word that makes me “i”
the word leaves your lips
and you smile all the while
staring, like i am the moon
and you the moth
with those spotlight-bright eyes
and that sunlight smile
you called my name that night
you whispered it like it was a secret verse
and
just like that
just like magic,
i was yours
Sitting here thinking
about the past
regret for time mislaid
What’s done is gone
all swans in song
— tomorrow’s yesterday
(The New Room: May, 2024)
Who knew the exact time and how
The day came for my play's final bow?
The span was compact
I ran for just one act
The encore - now as sacred cow
Farewell my love
the final bow takes flight,
in dreams we shall unite
where stage lights
do shimmer bright!
Within the sacred place
our shadows dance with grace,
as we become light as lace--
then shall we embrace
death's everlasting space.
We marvel as the seasons change each year
When poets rush to spill their colored ink
Though each has much to offer, it's quite clear,
For me, I like to watch the autumn prink
When leaves begin to change, she gently weeps
Soft tears of fall, that stain her leafy frill
She toils to leave her mark before she sleeps
As death draws near her breath takes on a chill
Rust colored needles scatter in the wind
Which leaves the pines a darker shade of green
The trees, half naked, somehow seem to blend
Until their nakedness becomes obscene
Though spring has beauty, I prefer the fall
I like to think spring takes a curtain call.
Daniel Turner
11/10/2023
As we age
death
reclaims us
Stealing
our youth
and then our hope
In the ground
where
memories rot
Willing us
nothing
—but the dark
(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)
I flee from the reality of self
In blind attempt at being self-less
Confronting an enlightened self-interest.
I have stepped into the shadows
Allowed them the spotlights curse
of cheers and boos of curtain calls.
Suppress the urge to take the stage
Permit them praise, and failures fury
Deny them not their bloodied glory.
I do it not for them but self
To touch the hem of passing whim
In closing act of one-night stand.
John G. Lawless
©3/30/3023
summer's curtain call...
fall peeks in ... hesitates ... 'til
... leaves flaming roadsides
With Charles as their King-to-Be
~ It's curtains for the 'Royal' Family
death is the final curtain
for a drama done
opening with birth and
going through
several acts of life
take your bows now
for only your stand-ins
will be at the curtain call
and you will not be there
to read the reviews
so write your reviews now
and play them in each role
and each act with skill
for only the play
will appear the final fact.
Strangers, friends, family
Thank you for listening to my words
and my humble attempts at wordsmithing
My ink is running dry
and I want to cry.
My muse isn't well
only time can tell.
It is on life support
all plans must abort.
Alexis Y.
08/22/2021
Our great love will never fall,
At the final curtain call,
We can say we did it all.
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