Saturday, March 19, 2011

heart of a thespian



As a diehard fan of both Jenny and her 100-words-or-less Saturday Centus meme, I can't resist a late attempt tonight.

(The day just got away from me, but better late than never, ain't that right?)

The prompt is bolded.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

heart of a thespian
©2011 susan noyes anderson

death shadowed him,
crept deep inside his heart
quite uninvited, but
(hospitable by nature)
he politely plumped
a chair and lit the fire

the man was friendly to a fault,
guests took advantage––
shame and guilt and
sundry mates of theirs
had hit him up
for years (crashers and
squatters), crowding,
hanging walls with feelings
framed like pictures,
first one chamber then
the next..the next...
lub dub...lub dub...
until the beating stilled
(all chambers filled)

death rushed to take
the stage; no way,
the play was life
life was the play
bright lights, first nights
put death on pause
applause...applause...applause
(his heart kick-started)

the curtain parted

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
at

25 comments:

  1. jfb57March 20, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    A very studious post - brilliant!

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  2. DonnaMarch 20, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Many times I think we all fear rejection and pain in our attempts at living/work/play, especially when young. It "kills" us and thwarts our outlook and stiffles us until some motivation comes along to help us blossom again. You say it with graceful prose...bravo!!!

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  3. KatMarch 20, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Beautifully written Sue, and a marvelous take on the prompt. My favorite line? "hanging walls with feelings, framed like pictures" - simply brilliant. Kat

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  4. anitamombanitaMarch 20, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    really nice. I like it a lot!

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  5. JudieMarch 20, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Sue, I am seriously impressed with this piece. You managed to convey your thought brilliantly.

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  6. karenMarch 20, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    I agree with Kat - that was my favorite line too. We all do that too - although some are more wise in what they decide to keep and memorialize. I try to keep mine to fine art but every once in awhile one of those dogs playing poker painted on velvet sneaks in. Once it's hung its harder to get rid of, but I do my best.
    I liked the prose - we could use that in my line of work!

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  7. Brian MillerMarch 20, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    nice...love the sounds...particularly lub dub...and once they get going it will all be a memory...

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  8. TracyMarch 20, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    The previous comments have expressed my sentiments exactly
    well done

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  9. RenegadesMarch 20, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Very nice job. :)

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  10. cj SchlottmanMarch 20, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    "...hanging walls with feelings framed like pictures..."

    Sue, You have outdone yourself with this very visual and visceral poem. I absolutely love it!

    Thanks for another great post....cj

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  11. 4 Lettre WordsMarch 20, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    This is really lovely, Sue.

    Hope you're have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. DarleneMarch 20, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    What beautiful prose Sue, I'm speechless.

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  13. yayaMarch 20, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    While reading, I was thinking of all the things that fill our hearts and can bring the applause...then of course as you've stated so brilliantly, the life stuff that fills our chambers can also cause the heart to break. Great Job!

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  14. MariaMarch 20, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Oh, very nicely done!

    http://gaelikaasdiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-centus-46.html

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  15. BECKYMarch 20, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Beautiful, as always, Sue!

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  16. TgoetteMarch 20, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Brilliant, Sue! Such a powerful piece! You consistently amaze us each week with your gifts! Well done once again!

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  17. JoMarch 20, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    This truly was brilliant! You had my full attention and i was completely drawn in ... You are just so darn amazing!

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  18. Grandma HoneyMarch 20, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    "the play was life, life was the play'...love that!

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  19. NonnaMarch 21, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Outstanding Sue ! I am a real live thespian ( and have the international seal to prove it on my High School Diploma ) You have captured what every performer hopes, feels and fears !!!

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  20. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    you are incredible. I love this.

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  21. AmyMarch 22, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Oh my goodness, that was... I am at a loss for words. I loved it, so it is a good loss. Astounding? Phenomenal? Majestic? I know you are a great writer, but sometimes you will pull out a piece like this, and I have to scoop my jaw up off the floor, because I know you, and you should be famous! :)

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  22. jabblogMarch 23, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    Sadness turned to victory - wonderful!

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  23. Rek SeshMarch 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Brilliant and so well expressed....the thespian gets away with the applause in the end.

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  24. TinaMarch 25, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    uw very deep, intense and lovely written sue :-)

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  25. JennyMarch 27, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    This felt different than a lot of your work I've read.

    There was a darkness to this that seemed very believable.

    Really incredible work crafting...as always.

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