you will not miss anything

the same shabby ushers guide you to your spot

the same frayed curtains frame the stage

the dry announcement asks for cells to be turned off

and for no photographs to be taken

the lights go up

the same young actors play as if in rehearsal

perfunctory movement keeping the plot moving

for the old pro

the STAR to make an entrance and carry the whole thing

through a leg-and-back stretching intermission

(those damn seats are murder on the knees)

inspection of the audience at interval

(as many struck poses and assumed attitudes as on the stage itself)

then the resumption

the STAR winding up for the pay-off

the show-stopping (or not) moment of denouncement

where every trick is hauled out and used

as the end hangs like smoke in old boy's club

lights out

lights on

the cast holding hands for the bow

then each principal

then of course the STAR

as they all turn and leave for a clothing change

and a late night supper

resuming their ordinary day

and the audience files out with the same thoughts of

where to eat and "what'd'ja think of it?"

as every inner critic spouts into the busy night air outside the theatre

no you missed nothing

except the dream that was interrupted

because someone poked you for snoring too loudly...

Content (c) 2008-2011 Philip Milito.