No Curtain Call
A lazy sliver of moon rides a wisp of cloud
Held aloft by unseen wires among painted stars
Coyote yips in the distance; no answering call
Then the silent night wraps around me
On my back in the wind-cooled grass
I gaze at a sky, so vast so infinite
Wondering why I’m here… in this world
What my part is… in this grand cosmic play
It seems an easy role I’ve been given
That of a simple lonely man
I bungle a line now and then
But manage to stumble on
I used to dream one day she would arrive
The leading lady of this pointless drama
Twirling a frilly umbrella and smiling coyly
A better part must’ve come her way
A star suddenly falls; brilliant in its demise
A streak of dying white, then it’s gone
I wonder if that’s what life is
A flash of light; no evidence we were here
Another star silently streaks the night sky
A flash of brilliance then it’s over
I applaud with a crooked soundless smile
One act… The end… No curtain call
Copyright © 2012 C. Mashburn
Buy "Be Still" from WestbowPress.com
Claudia said
very reflective mood here charles..sometimes not easy to find our place in the word…though really think we all leave our footprints..smaller and bigger ones and hopefully prints, that make the world a bit a better place..
charlesmashburn said
True, Claudia. This not really refective of my refelcting, but more of a fictional piece with a touch of truth to it. I do sometimes wonder what my part is, but more and more I am aware that it is what it is, and in spite of my bumbling and stumbling, I’m getting it done!
brian miller said
i hope that is not what life is all about…a flash in the sky or the pan…i like the applauding though of hte fallen star, that is cool…and i def know the feeling this guy is having trudging through life…
charlesmashburn said
I think it’s all a matter of perspective, Brian. Sometimes I think our lives are brief in the overall scheme of things. But as you probably know, I also think we all have a part to play.
AJ Walker said
I mostly liked it. It started to go mushy in the middle but the beginning was a strong start.
charlesmashburn said
Sorry I went soft on the middle, but glad you liked the start!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Mary said
Charles, this is intense. I think we all wonder sometimes why we are here, what purpose we serve in this vast universe. And, yup, all we get is one act. We have to make the best of that one act before that curtain call!
charlesmashburn said
I agree; we definitely have to do the best we can. This is not a practice run!
Daydreamertoo said
I think there is so much more to ‘us’ than we have even began yet to understand.
This is lovely. A very good attempt Charles. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
I think there is more to everything than we realize, Daydreamer!
Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate your comments!
Heaven (@asweetlust) said
I like your reflections on our life, using the falling star as a flash of light, then another star denoting our one chance, one act. I like to think we are given a lot of chances, like the stars in the sjy, but its up to us to choose our “star” ~ Enjoyed the visit ~
charlesmashburn said
I agree, heaven. I think we get lots of chances to shine, and if we keep our light burning, we will keep on shining!
ManicDdaily said
Very lovely poem, Charles – you set the stage, and then take your part in it, which is in some ways exiled from understanding, in other ways not. (I think you may mean role, the prompt caller in me says.)
Also – I’m not so private – Karin Gustafson! – I started out fairly anonymously because I am an attorney, which is always problematic (not just because of people’s feelings about lawyers), but I’m feeling a bit less paranoid these days. Thanks for a lovely poem. k.
charlesmashburn said
HA! I knew I could draw you out into the open! Seriously, I wondered why you always use the one initial. The business angle makes perfect sense.
Thank you for catching the wrong role. I truly appreciate it. However, don’t try to help me with punctuation; it’s a mistake for me to even try and use it–especially in poems–and when I do, I usually get it wrong. Sherry has been editing my writings for years, and I either use a comma when I shouldn’t or don’t use one when I should! I refer to my writing style as commatyzing. I don’t have clue when to use the darn things!
Thanks for the great prompt this evening!
ManicDdaily said
Ha ha! You’ve seen my comma comments! Won’t even try! k.
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m, I have! It should be fairly obvious I’m beyond help in that department.
pandamoniumcat said
Oh…yes I like that, one silent star…flash of brilliance. one act…the end…no curtain call… that’s life isn’t it…but at least we all get to shine even if it’s only once! Very nice Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Yes we do! And I believe it’s up to us how bright we shine.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Dianne!
kaykuala said
Life is meant for the living. May be slow and at a loss in the beginning. It will stabilize as the pace picks up. Hopefully there are no hiccups in between, may be a little! But at least we must make an impact, that’s true! Great write Charles!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Hank! I appreciate the comment!
hedgewitch said
I really felt wrapped up in this one Charles–many many nights when I can’t sleep I spend looking up at the stars–it’s still a thing of wonder for me to see a meteorite flash, or to be able to pick out the Milky Way on a clear night, having grown up where the only light at night was electric. I also can identify with your musings…our time is so short (compared to the earth, the sky and all that eternal stuff.) Enjoyed it much.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you so much! The musing about moon and stars is from memory. Truth be told, I seldom see them anymore, and it’s been this way for years. The main reason being I am rarely awake when they are out, and if I am it’s early in the morning, and I seldom think to step outside and take a look at them. I should. As for the meaning of life; a common thread among most of us, I think.
I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
Victoria C. Slotto said
An effective metaphor, that falling star, the flash of light. Knowing what I do of you and how you speak of your wife, I suspect this is largely fictional but the point is well made.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, the leading lady portion of this one is definitely fiction. She is at my side and plays her part well. The other parts of the poem do have their moments in my thoughts, but typically they are fleeting.
Thank you for the comment, Victoria!
ordinarylifelessordinary said
I often wonder why I’m here, somedays the waters are so muddy it’s hard to see you know?! And your leading lady finding a better part… Love that Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for stopping by to read and leave the lovely comment, Vanessa!
ordinarylifelessordinary said
I’m meant to be sleeping but it’s always nice to pop in and see you Charles x
charlesmashburn said
🙂
lenwilliamscarver said
i BELIEVE WE ALL WONDER AT OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE, IN BEING HERE. I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT BEING HERE IS OUR PURPOSE THAT’S IT JUST BEING HERE. NO HUGE AHA MOMENT JUST LOVING OUR MATES, OUR CHILDREN GRANDCHILDREN AND HELPING OUR FELLOW MAN. BEING THE BEST WE CAN IS OUR PURPOSE, JUST ACCEPT WHO, WHAT AND WHY YOU ARE AND LIFE WILL BE SO MUCH MORE FULFILLING.
charlesmashburn said
I agree 100%, Len!
Thank you for the wonderful words!
Mr. Watson said
It really makes you look at yourself in a different light! Life is incredible … And it’s about the things u do during ur time here! Great poem!
charlesmashburn said
It definitely is about what we do while we’re here, Craig. If your father’s day poem is an indication of what you do, you are doing great things!
Mr. Watson said
Thanks Charles 😉
wolfsrosebud said
you make exile seem a bit sweet…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Susan said
I like it! . . . and when you read my poems don’t assume it’s always about me either! Here, the lost lady, the shooting stars, the wry smile, the comfort of the scene–this is an idle philosophizer, ready to grab the world but only if it comes right by him.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the great comment, Susan. I especially enjoyed the lazy philosopher compliment. It’s like you KNOW me!
Susan said
(I hope I did not offend you. It is a compliment to your poem.)
charlesmashburn said
Oh, heavens no, Susan! I was not offended at all! I’m not easily offended, and if I am, I rarely strike back. I was merely having some fun with the comment!
Communicating with the written word is a tricky thing. Words can easily be misunderstood when no voice inflections or facial expressions accompany them.
I enjoyed your original comment! I thought it was great!
shanyns said
Some days are just like that, your poem evokes those strong feelings and questions. I wonder about them too…really good Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Shanyns! I think most of us wonder about these things.
punnypalaver said
Perfect ending! I think I actually said, “Ohhh” aloud when I read it. We are but a vapor–humbling thought.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed the poem!
Madeleine Begun Kane said
So beautifully evocative! I really liked this one!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Madeleine! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Raivenne said
What part can be better than having you in our lives even if only through the Internet?
Facing one’s mortality is a tenuous thing for most, no? Most are afraid their lives won’t ever be noted for existing, let alone being a flash to note.
charlesmashburn said
What a wonderul thing to say, Raivenne. I um… I think I got something in my eye…
Raivenne said
* giggles *
charlesmashburn said
Reblogged this on Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still… and know that I am God" and commented:
Bear in mind this is a mood piece, and in no way reflects my reality. My leading lady did indeed arrive, and her umbrella was a love that covers me with a joy beyond my wildest dreams. And, I am quite certain the curtain call will come when life on this earth is done. It will be glorious!