>the end of the show

Posted on by claudia

>

you took me to the end of
the show, script bleeding red
on dusty, wooden planks and
you were smiling – standing
ovations, “it’s over” you said,
endless relief in watery eyes.
you know (just a whisper),
it was never about bright
painted platforms and the
soft sway of red velvet drapes,
opening, closing, lying crimson
into the face of the easy to hurt.
no, your settings were the
creeping bugs in your brain, which
drove you to spit and to spit
those words along beaded seats,
full of hopes and wants and
greedy nightmare magic, dreamlessly,
repeat & repeat and –
make them feel the way they
want, but can’t bear – and who,
you said, could?


This is my response to the One Stop Poetry Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge. The prompt was shot by photographer Jacob Lucas. He is featured today on One Stop Poetry.

26 responses to “>the end of the show”

  1. >sounds like he delivered despite the difficulty of getting it out…"soft sway of red velvet drapes,opening, closing, lying crimsoninto the face of the easy to hurt"dare I say this is…sensualPeace, hp

  2. >you have to admire those willing to spit it out, even when they struggle with it…maybe that is why i like encouraging other poets…hmm…lovely write mrs. C

  4. >Sounds like a gut-level confession, part emotional agony—a writer/actor going through so much turmoil that the highly appreciative audience doesn't completely understand. His question at the end, which the speaker reiterates, uncovers many levels, as well as an inverse dynamic of feelings between creator and spectator. Stirring writing.

  5. >I was struck by the line, 'creeping bugs in your brain'and how you wove that into spitting those words.Anguished and provocative piece!Well done Claudia!

  6. >..and this is to explain my writing a bit…..the strange thing when it comes topicture prompts – is..i look at the image and "something in the dark" begins to move and i start to write. i don't think i'mgoing to write this and that – it just "happens" and i'm not sure where the words come from andsometimes they don't seem to make sense or i only have a rough idea of what i think it is about.this one i thought was about playing a role all our life and try to please others and the longing toend it – to get real – the theater is ruined and doesn't look so nice any more – but we've escapedin a way. think that was what i felt when writing this.these picture prompts get me in touch with the hidden corners of my soul somehow – they makeme write things i wouldn't normally… exciting journey..

  8. >Claudia, once again you have taken this innocent reader on a journey alive with color, emotion, life, and pain. Your unique way of presenting those thoughts that take root within that brilliant mind, really stands out, and it always leaves me beyond happy with my visit. Thank you!

  10. >The pictures are always the hardest for me to write to, claudia–I think you are doing the right thing here with just allowing whatever comes in response to come, because this is one of your most excellent writes out of many excellent ones–it has a bitter knowledge beneath the usual bright vibrancy of your phrasing that makes every point hit home. Really liked it.

  11. >I'm grateful for the picture prompt that inspired such exposure on your part. Maybe its the creeping bugs in your head that just must be heard. I'm glad for that.

  12. >I guess those creeping bugs in your head, somehow help you to spit it all out, for us to enjoy. Great writing today for the prompt.

  16. >There's a dozen way to crack open a new corridor of voice … the picture challenge is a good one … It's kind of like an inkblot, writing in response to something knocking about inside. And in the relational drama here, fascinating to find what's truly behind the mask of the Other. – -Brendan

  19. >Now in my reading for today, in your work we come to THEATER – Drama – the real deal. So many references but throughout I felt this Kafkaesque set of emotions and themes. Excellent work, Claudia. I always finish reading your work and think, "how does she do that" because you really do reach the stars in your structure and in your language! Wonderful! Gay

  21. >gotta love those picture prompts. sorry I missed this one.claudia, your words spoke to me in vivid imagery and heartfelt emotions.well done!

  22. >Claudia,This one really resonates with something in me…more than one, I'm sure…I am honoured to be a part of your creative life…because your creativity is endlessly opening and unfolding! Dig it!

  23. >"repeat & repeat and -make them feel the way theywant, but can't bear – and who,you said, could?"who could bear it? but the actor repeats and repeats and repeats…as a writer brings forth their own experiences, memories, emotions and uses their own blood as ink, i think really good actors must call on something from their own life to play a character well. in a sense, they are "bearing it" as well as "baring it" ~ i always read your works at least two or three times and even then i'm sure i have only skimmed the surface of all you put into them.brilliant! but when isn't it?

  24. >Hi! Claudia…Thanks, for sharing your beautiful poetry, and your thoughts about why you, write and what inspire you, to write too!DeeDee ;-D[Postscript: I must admit that when it comes to yours and Brian's poetry…I'am always "grasping" for what is your inspiration or what is inspiring both Of you, when you write your poetry.]

  25. >It may have been an old image even then, but I've always felt Shakespeare said it best when he declared "All the world's a stage…" and I believe you elicited that very sentiment in the vibrancy of your images and the emotion behind your words – it is a blessing to us all that these photographers do so inspire you, Claudia. It is always an honor to bask in your creative flow.