We welcome them in
like Bela Lugosi
from two directions
every four years
And they fly in hot
knowing every line
of the script
Our ticket is left
at will call and
we run into an
Elizabethan tragedy
where those
with the most to lose
always lose it all
The Authentic Image is crafted
by eminent designers
of hair shoe web
and thread
We dogs lap it up
The Real Story is handwritten
and re-written through
endless billable hours
and polls
We fiends devour every word
The Earnest Promise is delivered
in unparalleled style
ever smiling through the lie
and the con
We addicts shoot it straight
The curtain falls
the house lights come up
The Producers
count their coins on the hill
The Director
ducks into a limo out back
The Writers
close the window against the draft
The Actors
open the can of cold cream again
The Audience
is euphoric but strangely empty
At least
there’s always
next season’s
inevitable smash hit
to look forward to
That
and Lugosi’s new
bespoke cape
shimmering beautifully
under the Klieg lights
_____________________________________
Robert Bruce is one of the most read, linked, loved and reviled poets working on the web... more here. If this did something to you or for you, and you want it delivered to your inbox every week (along with exclusive, subscriber-only cool stuff) get yourself on the mailing list. See you Monday...
{ 1 trackback }
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
wonderful, yet again.
Was it ever thus? Yes. But much less transparent. We are wiser, this generation. Our side of the pond is no different. Embroiled in trying to find out just how much of our money is going on MP’s second homes which actually belong to their sisters and on soft porn movies put on MP’s expense claims! They are fighting us to the death to keep their shabby secrets – and we have no intentions of dying! You hit the nail firmly on the head!
Robert,
Chilling. I always love your work but this one is a cut above. Thanks—this is what I read Knife Gun Pen for. Wow.
Regards,
Kelly
…those
with the most to lose
always lose it all
Those lines made me stop. Great stuff.
What you’re doing here is so fun, Robert. I mean, the poetry community is so incestuous sometimes that it’s hard to sharpen iron with iron unless you’re willing to get an MFA somewhere.
You’re a pretty sharp iron, man.
Thanks much Kelly. Chilling is a great compliment ;)
Awesome. You are a true Word Warrior!!
Love, love, love. This.
yes, I have felt hope but also this lately
“euphoric but strangely empty”
like I’ve eaten too much cake.
That’s it Robert, Knife Gun Pen is right… just peel back our skin and make us feel the pain! Ouch!
Thanks for the email alert for this one. “We addicts shoot it straight” Wow. You are one awesome poet.
Sure there may be problems with our governmental system, but comparing it to something as insidious as the film industry is entirely uncalled for. You should be more careful with the feelings of our fragile politicians.
For shame, Robert.
Living abroad, it’s easy to see the addiction is contagious. Across the globe they too eat with shovels. Beautiful work man.
The weathy well-fed discuss social ills over brunch while the working poor clock-out, drag home, lay down the overdues, pass out from double shifts, and get up early to do it all again. God bless America… But of course you said it better brother. Encore!