Swan Song

Dedicated to my love for the stage.

She drags cherry stain across puckered lips,

Orchestra sounding in Overture.

The stranger staring back through the mirror,

Pale and beautiful like the moon.

 

She takes her leave down the darkened stairwell

Straight on to center stage,

Crimson curtain shielding her from eager stares.

Eyes closed and palms sweating she breathes in…

 

And out.

In…

And out.

In…

 

And as the curtain rises and amber light engulfs her

She feels the battered wood beneath her feet

Vibrate with pregnant anticipation.

 

Her breath comes out in melodious soprano,

Woodwinds painting her a sorrowful scene,

Brass ripping at her heart with harmonies,

And strings tying her to the spot.

 

A tear forms in her painted eye

As her ballad crescendos in climax,

And rolls down her cheek

At percussion’s final beat.

 

The roar from the audience

Falls on deaf ears

As the spotlight fades to black.

She bids her old friend a watery

Farewell.

Author's Note

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Reviews

[kublakhan27]

A truly beautiful and moving piece my friend...I've been to many plays and even a couple of operas (inlcuing Les Miserables) and I've always preferred stage acting to movies by an overwhelming margin...I always wonder what it's like behind the curtains amid the shuffle of wardrobe changes and everything else that must be going on down there, and I wonder what's going through their minds between scenes...lovely work :)

[Ashira Macy]

Thanks so much Steve, I am so glad you enjoyed it! There is honestly nothing more exciting for me then being onstage performing or backstage getting ready to perform. I will tell you that backstage is a completely different kind of drama than what is happening onstage. Still so much fun though. XD

[kublakhan27]

Haha I'm sure it is...it must be such an odd dynamic, but that's what makes stage actors great...there are no retakes or anything like that, just one scene to the next...last summer I saw Hamlet performed outdoors in a park that was once a military outpost, and much of it took place around the monuments...it started at dusk and ended under the lights...quite the experience ;)

[Anahat]

Wow I could feel all of it and it felt like I was right there.
Powerful and touching! :)

[Saddam]

An interesting and beautiful write there.
i love it.

[uNmAsKeD-dEluSiOns]

I can't say I feel connected to this, because I'm am not one for a stage haha but you described it so well it's almost as if I was there and it was so beautiful and eye opening and tells a novel in just a page.

[anne]

its so beautiful my dear...every description is unique and so loving...:))

[Lyan]

I love the imagery you have created here. The sentiments of a performer. Excellent work!

[Rache David]

The execution of your words to form an intense piece is perfect. It proves your love for stage. I just kind of befuddled on the last line "she bids her old friend a watery farewell." Are you pertaining the latter about your old self? That you can't bring back anymore? Or i guess i'm wrong?

[katnisscat]

An opera singer? I like that twist. Thanks for writing. I enjoyed this piece.

[John Ryan]

Eyes closed and palms sweating she breathes in…

And out.
In…
And out.
In…

love those lines

[micky]

Simple, elegant and leaves me curious. Wonderful piece Ashira ;) well done!