Renn Faire

Weave me an old story,
a new one,
with Fae and gypsies,
aged peddlers on corners
with eyes sparkling new.

Sing me an ancient song,
a new melody,
with brave knights
in steam-powered armor
or a princess in spun wool.

Lay this spell on me-
If just for an afternoon.

The pieces of a broken set
have been swept to the side.
Tools are put away
and costumes are stored.

The stage is clear,
for a new story,
and I will bid farewell
to the one I cast.

Despite its trial,
I am sorry to see it go.

He is unfailingly kind,
and sweeter than a dream.
He smiles,
and his face transforms
into a glorious sun.

Heads turn to him,
to share in that light,
for goodness
and a bright soul
shines so brilliantly
that all who look on him
can't help but love him.

I'm the friend you forget-
The one who is invited
In grand adventures
When they're nothing more
Than ideas
But omitted when plans solidify-
Usually merely by accident.

I don't know why.
I have always tried
To be funny and smart
And non-threateningly pretty
And over-all appealing
I always do my best
To be helpful
And never ever a burden.

I don't have the skills
To draw souls forth
And gather them for revels,
So I have always depended
On the kindness
And charity of others-
To always feel like a hanger-on,
One-not-belonging
But there anyway.

I have no one
Who is mine,
To remember me
Nine times out of ten
And not lose me in the mess of others.

Must I always stand alone
Or as a puzzle piece
That doesn't fit?

The Stage Manager's "Wouldn't It Be Loverly"

all I want is a booth somewhere
far away from this fake wig hair -
no cell phones go off there
oh wouldn't it be loverly.

lots of chocolate for me to eat.
actors in their places? Sweet!
and no dumb ones to beat
oh wouldn't it be loverly.

oh how loverly sitting absa-bloomin'-lootly still
actors won't stick out of the wing-
and cues go when I will -

someones there on headset with me -
warm and sassy as they can be -
who take good care of me
oh isn't it so loverly.

Leaves are turning red and gold,
a wide array of colors -
and some match the broken mug
that is all I have left
to remind me of a friendship I broke.

I wish you could have been
as clear sighted as Odysseus
and as willing to turn as Raskolnikov.
But you proved as blind
as a poor student with an axe
and as stubborn
as an ancient hero.

I do not wish you
as I would be you be -
for then we would end
each other's fools.
As we already have.

Do me one last favor,
nearly two years
since we finally parted?
Cease haunting me.

A balancing act
is only as good
as the supporting leg.