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The Girl Smiling in the Footlights
by Rusty C Arquette
There was a quiver
in the vapor
a slight trembling in time
when Cecilia Jane took her leave
and left us here behind
she lay her head
upon the pillow
silver hairs entwined with white
our tired monarch
slipped into peaceful sleep
where all is glowing,
painless,
and oh so polite
feather light
and slowly drifting
deep into a distant realm
of tintype memory and dream
of horse drawn carriages and trolleys
of engines belching clouds of steam
where laughing children
chased the ice-man
and the milk man
a Hurdy Gurdy played street corner tunes
a world of marbles, jacks,
and jump ropes
of cherry phosphates
and macaroons
she hung momentarily suspended
between time, and mind, and space
lost in the welcome warm embrace
of old friends and family
the loving apparitions of a lifetime
thought lost a while
at last theyd come to call
while our tiny dancer
spent the last years passing
waiting for that final curtain call
ninety one years
of joys and tears
so at last she could take her bows
there must have been a bit of laughter
to see her on her way
a casual observation in passing
from a sharp
unyielding wit
about the long overdue outcome
and the seemingly infinite delay
on her way
from restraints of worn flesh
to the spiritual promise
that again
would make her fresh
hear the fading strains of music
a girl stands
bouquet in hand
bending low she bows, she smiles,
and slowly draws
a final breath
acknowledging her admirers
she beams as young girls do
and fades behind the footlights
as we loving fans
all bid our last
fond adieu
for heaven waits most patiently
for its special people
its true
holding back the velvet curtain
for those tiny dancers
just like you
and today
there was a quiver
in the vapor
a slight trembling in time
when Cecilia Jane took her leave
and left us here behind
11/10/2003 Author's Note: I love you mother...you made the world a better place - Cecila Jane Elizabeth (Barrett) Arquette 6/29/12 - 11/10/03
Posted on 11/15/2003
Copyright © 2025 Rusty C Arquette
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Agnes Eva on 11/15/03 at 04:39 AM what a beautiful elegy, remembering your mother's youth so fondly and with absolute sincerest warmth |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 11/15/03 at 09:20 PM With deepest condolences, Rusty, to you and your family. Your farewell pooem a most beautiful and caring tribute of love.
Quentin |
| Posted by Jane E Pearce on 11/16/03 at 01:59 AM My condolences also Rusty. What can I say about this wonderful tribute but that it is music set to be danced in Heaven by your mother. When they go, things are never quite the same-ever. My thoughts are with you and your loss. Jane |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 11/17/03 at 06:11 AM Great tribute to your Mum Rusty. My heart felt
sympathy for you and yours....Charlie |
| Posted by Thomas K. Hunt on 11/17/03 at 08:36 AM A beautiful heart felt tribute.... |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 11/17/03 at 01:27 PM Oh Rusty... I will lay my roses here for Cecelia Jane. What a beaitful tribute to her as only a son could write. |
| Posted by Lori Johnson on 11/18/03 at 04:22 PM I sit with tears in my eyes, Cat. This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman (can tell from the words you write). Sounds as though she had a wonderful life, she certainly did an excellent job raising you. ((hugs)) Sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you. :) |
| Posted by Graeme Fielden on 11/18/03 at 05:26 PM A beautiful and moving tribute Rusty. My thoughts are with you :) |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 11/18/03 at 07:08 PM What a beautiful and touching tribute. Your command of words allows such as an easy flow of images, and with them, emotions, that reading this poem was like watching a movie. |
| Posted by Ulyss Rubey on 11/19/03 at 11:19 PM Inexpressibly wonderfully put.
My Mom faded behind the footlights recently, and was one of the tiny dancers. She was born in 1911.
Mom, remember my poem? I would have said it this way if I had known how. |
| Posted by Dana E Brossard on 12/05/03 at 12:57 PM *hugs* Very beautifull =) |
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