theater – penned in moon dust

They Say Laughter Heals #poetry #photography

faces

It’s written somewhere: “all the world’s a stage”

for most of the ship’s bells

I feigned my parts well

putting on the costume required

the chameleon of your choice

“at your service sirs and ma’am”

smiles on a tray, kudos close at hand

to stroke the narcissus bloom

“mental instability” because I didn’t rub your lantern

all my gifts stirred in a vat

smiles, frowns they are just that

but refreshment comes in from the east

laugh lines are complete

no need to pretend

silliness I still can’t comprehend

laughter fills my play

rose blooms on winter days

your warm chuckle melting rays

there’s light as the dawns rise

giggles escape like fireflies

and the sun and I over the miles

always seem to smile

color of dawn

The challenge at Poet’s United Midweek motif is “The Role of Laughter?”

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

~Khalil Gibran~

Behind Night’s Curtain #photography #Lincoln #poetry

The stage is set, actors on stage

and by act two, the bullet placed

a president falls, the curtain too

tonight’s theater, the scene will do

The prompt for this week DP photography challenge was Night and photography taken at night. It is not easy to shoot photography with an iphone at night. These two shots – the curtain drawn and the “house” of Ford’s Theater just to the right of where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

At a Loss for Words #poetry #music #dpchallenge

guitar

A tune always spins

like an lp

on the record player of my life

notes trickle through fingers

like rains drops

as I sing another song

and the words

dance on the keyboard

and sparkle in my eyes

as I dance with feet firmly planted

hands caressing the microphone

on the broad instrument packed stage

that I call home

The prompt at DP Daily Challenge today is Musical Marker.

“We all have songs that remind us of specific periods and events in our lives. Twenty years from now, which song will remind you of the summer of 2014?”

Our family lives in a world of theater and music, my life is catalogued by the memories of the venue rather than the song. We just finished “The Producers” so I guess the song would be – Spring Time for Hitler.

Look at Me #poetry #photography

you cannot measure it, I know

nor can you wield like sword or pen

tho fingers long to take, possess

it’s elusive now and then

aspire to greatness, it is gone

turn your back and then it stays

for those out front and thespian types

it dances and it plays

why you so eager, trap and grasp

success within your hand

for those with truly many gifts

never see its feathers fanned

then grasp now to what you will

look at days for all they are

for you much treasure may you see

holding life, a child, shining star

****

Today’s prompt at Poet’s United Midweek Motif is success. Is success within your grasp or do you reach for other things???

Lovely Lady #atozchallenge #poetry #spring #theater

Her name spoken softly in a whisper brought a hush to the room.

Like a swan shyly opening her wings Calla enters from stage left.

diamond like tears glisten as beholding such beauty evokes this emotion

In velvety white, the audience’s aww is hushed by the entry of a shadow that removes oxygen from the room.

The phantom swoops in on Calla crushing her in one hopeless instant.

One and all gasp feeling oppression, darkness

A sadness fills the room at the thought of beautiful Calla’s brokeness.

light fails to emit from the corners of the room

****

A colorful poppy clad girl pranches center stage

She wistfully brushes Calla on the forehead with a kiss as she is swept away by a tropical breeze.

Calla tilts her face to a radiant orb.

Too hot for many Calla welcomes his strength.

No longer white nor pure Calla feels beyond love as she is wrapped in warmth

The sun booms forth a deep chuckle as the red and orange curtain closes.

All that remains is light that cannot be contained

Behind the Scenes #oneshootsunday #theater

You can’t see it

but it’s there

a world of action

love death laughter guerre

***

He said it with aplomb

she whispered with disgrace

everything as it should

every line in it’s place

***

Did you see it?

I think not

for in the wings

we did a lot

***

The illusion

is so grand

for the house

after they stand

***

and for us

we smile with grace

for without us

things would be duly out of place

***

the theater

would be just old boards

the cast

costumed by the hoards

***

it is us

those wearing black

you never see us

we will be back

***

for every show

you take the bow

thespians back stage

we are you now

Thanks to One Shoot Sunday for the picture prompt by photographer

Ahhhh New York

NYC

Rarely sleep

Dear Lady

Mr. Ellis

tower above the sky

MOMA

quite the Broad

Putting on

The glitz

Flushing

Balls and rackets

I look at you in

Awww

******

N.y.c.

I’m looking down on you

The Crowds

The fans

The Thrills

The jams

I Love

You

N Y C

*final dance step exit stage right*

******

FYI:I love the song N Y C – my daughter played Grace in a local production of Annie. It’s a wonderful song / memory….

That’s a piece of my NYC rendition

Susan at Stony River does great Monday Flash Fiction. Guess what our prompt was??? Join Us on Mondays

…a merciless and glorious place (story in 160)

I’m afraid.

It’s dark out there.

But – I know I must go.

Alone.

Entering a world of scrutiny.

What if they don’t like me?

What if I fail?

The stage is waiting.

My daughter just finished a summer musical with a local drama troupe. I’m amazed at all the dynamics that go into a production. The feeling when the lights are on you and a full house is waiting… The momentary thought “What if my vocal cords gave out?” The stage is a merciless and glorious place.

For more microfiction go to monkey man

Thanks to Bobster for this great shot of the Alhambra Theater in San Francisco

*http://www.flickr.com/photos/32912172@N00/4751069533