Stages
there’s an
empty space
where grass now grows
10 decades ago
there was a house
there
in that empty space
where grass now grows
there were ruffled curtains hanging in the kitchen
dishes in the cupboard
furniture heavy on the floor
art on the walls
flowers in the vase
food on the table
candles lit and blown out
doors opening and closing
little paws tap tapping
music good music
voices in the hall
loud laughter
silent tears
brushing teeth
and washing faces
changing clothes
and shoes
writing and reading
watching and listening
making and breaking
planning and packing
messes to make and clean up
washing and wearing and washing and wearing
taking things down and putting things up
lying down
and getting back up
turning the water on
and turning the water off
like the lights
and the stove
alarms
and timers
the television
each room
had something unique to say
something old or new
like a play up there on stage
the cast and crew
the story based on a book
narration
opening scene
I Act
intermission
II Act
intermission
III Act
no intermission
the curtains close
the house lights come on
and go dark
the seats sit empty
like the room
the house
everybody left
they all left
and went home
TL