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Open Poetry #33
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wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

0 posted 2004-09-30 11:08 PM



The theatre is dark

Empty now, save for the old man
Sweeping the aisles of ticket stubs
And corsages

The crowd has gone
Filtering through the streets
Like a spill seeking its own level

Comedy and Tragedy, too
Have hung up their masks on the marquee
Where they stare empty-eyed

The show has closed
And still wearing their harlequin hats
They’re having a drink at the bar down the block

Tragedy, alone and morose at a corner table
Has wearied of watching Comedy
Regaling the young women with pratfalls

Of watching him bouncing them on his knee
And tickling their funnybones
While stroking their interest

His last drink finished
Tragedy leaves, and weaves down the alleys
Looking for a place to “sleep it off”

And finding a light, he lets himself in
To spend a restless night in the straw
Beside a cow in Mrs. O’leary’s barn


© Copyright 2004 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved
Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
1 posted 2004-09-30 11:13 PM


A surprise ending! And a known outcome... mixed to a nice telling.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
2 posted 2004-09-30 11:39 PM



Ed, you are a master story teller, and really know how to twist us around with a surprise ending. I never saw that ending coming.

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
3 posted 2004-09-30 11:55 PM


Bard extraordinaire
coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

4 posted 2004-10-01 01:44 AM


Nice tale, man.
I always wondered how that fire started.

Thanks,
coyote


Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
5 posted 2004-10-01 12:49 PM


How well done! I was into the angst of tragedy, going off on his own and leaving the field to comedy, and then wham! and we know who got the last word in.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

6 posted 2004-10-01 10:33 PM


Then what be
two sides of mask
hanging side by side
and inbetween
lies the matches of the fire
and O'Leary's barn is ME?

grin?

sigh

it could happen yanno...



love this, as always y'have me think before I strike the match.

Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

7 posted 2004-10-02 08:26 AM


This was like being a fly on the wall...well written..thanks wranx..LOL...

Goldenrose.

The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved. Victor Hugo.

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
8 posted 2004-10-02 08:42 AM


Very well done.

I love how you think.

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
9 posted 2004-10-02 11:17 AM


Found a warm place, all right....

As usual, you reach deep into that pie and pull out the best plum -- what a good boy are you!

...but be sure the pit's out of it....

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
10 posted 2004-10-02 12:23 PM


good to read you again
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
11 posted 2004-10-02 04:21 PM


You are so intelligent, Ed.
You know, I first learned that song in grammar school.  The epitome of Tragedy, indeed!

*applauding you*

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

12 posted 2004-10-02 04:24 PM


you weave beautifully Bro. Thanks for letting me see through your eyes.

Maree

Well I see you doing, What I try to do for me, With the words from a poet, And a voice from a choir, And a melody, nothing else matters. ~Stevie Nicks

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