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Pantomime

by Chris Sorrenti


walls closing in
     the ultimate pantomime
but surely as these walls
are invisible
     sometimes laughable
so too are they real

the first is the past
     and though 
     one must never dwell in it
neither can they completely escape
an invisible chain trailing
white gloves
     unable to cut

the second wall
     the present
with all its toil
stress filled days
balanced with accomplishment
     carrying unseen load
     on shoulder
putting it down
when possible  
     brings a smile
      to a painted face

the third wall is the future
towering in its uncertainty
     challenges
experiences yet
     to colour the mind
     climb that ladder pantomime
but no matter how high you get
     another rung's still waiting above
     
     and death
the fourth
      its vines creeping out
      across the other three
bringing sadness
      to an otherwise happy face
waving imaginary hanky
     friends
     loved ones
     away

and finally the ceiling
     left open
spreading wings invisible
     the act of a mime
the audience never sees
     until they too
play the part

     alas the stage 
     empty again
but wait! the audience cheers
     a new arrival
     dressed only in umbilical
a familiar cry
      shattering the silence
     of pantomime

© 1992

1,230 hits as of March 2023

04/04/2015

Author's Note: Happy Easter everyone.

Posted on 04/04/2015
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by A. Paige White on 04/05/15 at 07:21 PM

Love it! Will actually like figure out the whys when I'm more awake. I want my Easter nap. I may pantomime hiding three grandchildren around the yard, giggling, "ok y'all wait right HERE for Nanny to find you in just a minute....." Two hours later....nanny wakes up and yawns and gets her biggest basket to go gather the grandbabies... ;-)

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